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
Episodes
Why This Universe?
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
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
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
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
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
10 - What is Dark Energy?
Get introduced to one of the most mysterious characters in physics. Support the show
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
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
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
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
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
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
3 - What in the World Is Antimatter?
Learn how special relativity and quantum mechanics come together to make an odd prediction about matter. Support the show
2 - What's It Like to Discover Quantum Mechanics?
Quantum mechanics revolutionized our understanding of the universe. But have you ever wondered how it was first discovered? What's it like to live through such a dramatic scientific moment? Support the show
1 - Why Are We So Sure About Dark Matter?
Dark matter sounds as mysterious as it is - an invisible form of matter that permeates our universe that physicists have not yet been able to detect! And yet, most physicists are extremely confident that it exists. Learn why! Support the show
0 - Welcome to Why This Universe!
Learn more about the co-hosts, what this podcast is all about, and why we are making it! Support the show