2min snip

Inquiring Minds cover image

“The Good Stuff” about Quanta and Fields with Sean Carroll

Inquiring Minds

INSIGHT

Two Levels of Fieldiness

Quote: "If the world were not made of fields, if it were made of particles, but it was governed by the rules of quantum mechanics, there would be something called the wave function."

  • There are two levels of "fieldiness" in quantum field theory. Even if the world were made of particles, quantum mechanics dictates wave-like properties, like those seen in electrons within atoms.
  • However, a quantum theory of particles alone doesn't account for particle creation and destruction (e.g., radioactivity, photon production).
  • The best explanation is that the world starts with fields, which are then "quantized," meaning they develop a wave function, a concept that goes against everyday intuition.
00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode