Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Was the Big Bang left handed?
Feb 4, 2025
Delve into the quirks of handedness and its cosmic significance, from amusing anecdotes about lefties to the deep science behind molecular chirality. Discover how asymmetry influences not just life, but also the fundamental makeup of our universe. The podcast examines the dominance of left-handed molecules and the unique behavior of particles under the weak force. Unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, questioning whether the Big Bang had a hand in shaping particle physics and the very fabric of life itself.
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Handedness
- Handedness, or chirality, is a 3D concept; 2D objects lack it.
- It arises when arranging three vectors; mirroring creates opposite handedness.
Animal Handedness
- Blind cave fish prefer exploring with one side of their body, demonstrating a preference even without sight.
- This behavior highlights a side preference in animals, similar to handedness in humans.
Molecular Handedness
- Organic molecules, like spearmint and caraway, exist in left and right-handed forms, impacting taste and interaction with our bodies.
- Life uses only left-handed amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.