Why This Universe?

Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman•www.shalmawegsman.com

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.

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Episodes

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 19, 2020•25 min•Ep. 15

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 12, 2020•26 min•Ep. 14

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

Oct 05, 2020•30 min•Ep. 13

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 28, 2020•31 min•Ep. 12

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 21, 2020•27 min•Ep. 11

10 - What is Dark Energy?

Get introduced to one of the most mysterious characters in physics. Support the show

Sep 14, 2020•28 min•Ep. 10

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

Sep 07, 2020•23 min•Ep. 9

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

Aug 31, 2020•23 min•Ep. 8

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

Aug 24, 2020•24 min•Ep. 7

6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness

Entanglement, wave-particle duality, and uncertainty - here's a breakdown of the weirdest and wildest things about quantum mechanics. Support the show

Aug 17, 2020•29 min•Ep. 6

5 - How Dan Lost a Bet With Dark Matter

We revisit some of Dan's early predictions about dark matter, and talk about the biggest dark matter ideas and experiments of the last decade. Support the show

Aug 10, 2020•28 min•Ep. 5

4 - Where Did the Antimatter Go?

Every time a particle of matter is made, a particle of antimatter is also made. So it seems like all matter ever created should have annihilated with antimatter, leaving behind an empty universe. But then... why is our universe filled with matter? Support the show

Aug 03, 2020•26 min•Ep. 4

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