Origin of Time Tested in Experiment With Mini-Universe

A physicist built a mini-universe out of cold atoms and used it to test where time comes from. It made big headlines a few weeks ago, and I almost skipped it, as most "universe in a lab" stories are nonsense. But then I actually read the paper. Let's take a look.

You probably misunderstand the double slit experiment

In today's video I talk about some commonly misunderstood points in the double slit experiment.

This New Laser Is Based On Black Hole Physics

You might think that black holes suck in light without letting it escape, but they actually concentrate light in the photon sphere which surrounds their horizon. In a recent paper, researchers created a new type of laser which concentrates light using a technique similar to those found in the photon sphere. Let’s take a look.

Physicists Say They Know the Origin of Gravity

Recently, a pair of researchers made a massive breakthrough in the foundations of physics. In their paper, they describe how gravity is an emergent property. More specifically, they say that the origin of gravity is entropy. And not just any entropy, but the entropy of quantum fields. How big is this really? Let’s take a look.

Did Physics Just Lose a Brilliant Idea?

One of the most popular ideas in physics right now is something named “ER = EPR.” This theory has it that entangled particles are actually linked by tiny, tiny wormholes. Recently, a group of physicists tested the idea – let’s take a look at their findings.

This Calculation Could Change The Periodic Table

If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a chemistry class, you’re lucky – over time, the periodic table has been expanding as physicists produce brand-new atomic nuclei. But the thing about these nuclei is they’re extremely short-lived, sticking around for less than a nanosecond. Recently, though, physicists say they’ve figured out a calculation that should help researchers create new nuclei that are much more stable. Let’s take a look.

String theory hasn't failed, it's worse.

String theory has changed the foundations of physics profoundly, and I for one am worried about its legacy.

Crazy: Riemann Hypothesis Linked to Black Holes, Physicists Find

The Riemann Hypothesis is an open problem in maths which – if proved correct – would show us a pattern in prime numbers. The zeta function, a central part of the hypothesis, has been linked to quantum mechanics, and recently a group of physicists linked it to gravitational equations associated with black holes. What does this mean, exactly? Let’s take a look.

Core Law of Physics is Circular, Physicists Say

The Boltzmann brain hypothesis states that, between the Big Bang occurring and a fully-formed brain suddenly popping into existence in space, the brain spontaneously appearing is more probable. In a recent paper, a group of physicists have compared the second law of thermodynamics and the Boltzmann brain hypothesis – after analyzing both, they concluded that both are equally legitimate theories of physics. Let’s take a look at what this means and if they might be right.

This is how faster than light signalling could work

In this video I explain why I think it’s wrong to believe that the speed of light is an impossible to overcome limit. I am afraid that this is the biggest mistake that physicists are making, that indeed our entire species is making. And it’s all due to physicists’ misunderstanding quantum mechanics.

Breakthrough in Zero Friction Materials

Friction affects almost everything around us. It makes cars drive, our muscles contract, and even helps us walk. But in terms of technology, friction often means wasted energy — that’s why material scientists are always looking for ways to minimize it. In a recent paper, researchers say that they’ve found a material that can reduce friction to almost zero. Let’s take a look.

The Quantum Computer Dream is Falling Apart

As we continue to research quantum computing, quantum advantage – the supposed advantage that quantum computers theoretically have over regular computers – continues to dry up. Today we’re covering how more quantum computing use cases are disappearing, and an unexpected problem with quantum computing in general.

We Live In Between Two HUGE Dark Matter Voids

Our universe is a very strange place, but a new dark matter simulation seems to suggest that we live in a particularly strange area in it. According to a new paper published by a group of astrophysicists, simulations seem to indicate that our galaxy cluster exists in a thin area of highly concentrated dark matter, which itself is located between two voids of dark matter. Let’s take a look.

Why does light exist?

Why does light exist? It's a consequence of what physicists call a "gauge symmetry" and in today's video I do my best to try and explain how that works.

The Laws of Nature Are Ugly. Do We Have to Accept This?

In which I wonder whether we will just have to accept that the laws of nature are ugly

Why does space have 3 dimensions?

Why does space have 3 dimensions? Why not 2? Or 4? Or 7? It’s because physics wouldn’t work properly. Let’s take a look at the major reasons for why physics needs 3 dimensions.

Finally a Use for String Theory

String theory was supposed to be physics’ grand theory of everything. While it’s (so far) failed in that aspect, string theory’s principles should still be useful because its mathematical framework is so solid. In a new paper, researchers have demonstrated that by applying string theory to networks in the world of biology. Let’s take a look.

The Multiverse Just Killed Our Dreams of a Final Theory

A unified theory – that explains the interactions in the standard model of particle physics from one common origin – has been a goal of physicists ever since the completion of the standard model. But according to a recently published paper which analyzed the properties of the laws of nature in a multiverse, a unified theory might be incompatible with the presence of life in our universe. Let’s take a look at both of these ideas and why they might be incompatible.

It’s The End Of An Era For Physics.

It’s a new year, and according to a new paper, physics is headed into a new era. Over the past few years, the field of physics has seen a major shift in research priorities – let’s take a look at that shift, why it’s happened, and where physics is headed next.

Yes, Chaos Can Create Order, New Experiment Shows

Physicists have theorized for decades that chaos doesn’t just destroy order, it can also create it. This could in turn mean that the laws of nature that make our universe the way it is could be emergent from chaos. In a recent study, physicists demonstrated order emerging chaos in an experiment. Let’s take a look.