Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

214 | Antonio Padilla on Large Numbers and the Scope of the Universe

Oct 17, 2022

Antonio Padilla, a theoretical physicist and author of "Fantastic Numbers and Where to Find Them," dives into the wonders of large numbers in relation to the universe. He discusses the staggering figures that define our cosmos, like the estimated 10^88 particles. Padilla examines concepts like Graham's Number, the significance of a Googleplex, and the philosophical implications of vastness. He also explores quantum mechanics, black holes, and how information is stored in the universe, revealing surprising connections between mathematics and reality.

01:15:50

Episode guests

Antonio Padilla

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Exploring the Significance of Large Numbers in Understanding the Universe

2min

Understanding the Vastness of Numbers

10min

The Enigma of Large Numbers

24min

The Universe of Doppelgangers

6min

Quantum Mechanics and Cosmic Inflation

7min

Entropy, Information, and Black Holes

18min

The Finite vs Infinite Universe

5min

It’s a big universe we live in, so it comes as no surprise that big numbers are needed to describe it. There are roughly 10^22 stars in the observable universe, and about 10^88 particles altogether. But these numbers are nothing compared to some of the truly ginormous quantities that mathematicians have found to talk about, with inscrutable names like Graham’s Number and TREE(3). Could such immense numbers have any meaningful relationship with the physical world? In his recent book Fantastic Numbers and Where to Find Them, theoretical physicist Antonio Padilla explores both our actual universe and the abstract world of immense numbers, and finds surprising connections between them.

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Antonio (Tony) Padilla received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Durham. He is currently a Royal Society Research Fellow in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nottingham. He is a frequent contributor to the YouTube series Sixty Symbols and Numberphile.

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