Why This Universe?
Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman
The biggest ideas in physics, broken down. Join theoretical physicist Dan Hooper and co-host Shalma Wegsman as they answer your questions about dark matter, black holes, quantum mechanics, and more. Part of The University of Chicago Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 2, 2020 • 26min
16 - Where Is Life in the Universe?
What does it takes for a planet to support life? How different could extraterrestrial life be from what we see on Earth?Support the show
Oct 19, 2020 • 25min
15 - What are Grand Unified Theories?
These theories aim to explain all of the fundamental forces (except gravity) in one neat package. How does it work?Support the show
Oct 12, 2020 • 26min
14 - Why Does Time Move in One Direction?
What in the laws of physics differentiates between past and future? Is there a physical reason that time always moves forward? Support the show
Oct 5, 2020 • 30min
13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse?
Today we explore different interpretations of quantum mechanics, from Copenhagen to the many-worlds hypothesis, in an attempt to uncover what quantum reality really is.Support the show
Sep 28, 2020 • 31min
12 - Please Stop Emailing Dan About MOND
Some physicists have considered the possibility that dark matter might not exist - and that instead, it's our theories of gravity which are wrong. Today we take a deep dive into these theories of modified gravity.Support the show
Sep 21, 2020 • 27min
11 - Discovery Alert! Let's Talk About Gravitational Waves
You may have heard of the new gravitational wave discovery of September 2020. Here's everything you need to know to understand what this detection means for physics!Support the show
Sep 14, 2020 • 28min
10 - What is Dark Energy?
Get introduced to one of the most mysterious characters in physics.Support the show
Sep 7, 2020 • 23min
9 - Is Space Expanding?
Here's how a heated debate about whether our Milky Way galaxy is the entire universe led to the discovery of expanding space.Support the show
Aug 31, 2020 • 23min
8 - Is Space Flat or Curved?
Learn how the geometry of space defies our intuition, and why it gave Einstein so much anxiety.Support the show
10 snips
Aug 24, 2020 • 24min
7 - Could Black Holes Be the Dark Matter?
Dark matter has eluded physicists for years - all we know is that it's some kind of matter that doesn't interact with light. Does that sound like a black hole to you?Support the show
