Why This Universe?

Learn about the chaotic motion that underlies even the most ordered structures, including life. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Some physics theories are admired for being beautiful, but does that mean they are more likely to be true? Or could chasing beauty lead us astray? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Hear why supersymmetry was special enough to win over physicists hearts, and why faith in it might be dying out. Support the show

Today we explore one of the biggest and most frustrating open problems of particle physics - the hierarchy problem. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Learn how astronomers are using invisible particles to see what we've never seen before! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Learn about the oldest light in the universe - the cosmic microwave background - and how it became a treasure trove of cosmological insight. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Hear what proved to physicists that the universe started with the Big Bang - and the one person who was never convinced. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Learn how a profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

A rerun of one of our favorite episodes ever. 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 us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

A re-post of one of our favorite early episodes. Learn how special relativity and quantum mechanics come together to make an odd prediction about matter. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

Get our introduction to the measurement that might prove the Standard Model wrong! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

The Big Bang theory leaves us with some open questions, and the theory of inflation might have the answers. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions that are hidden from view? Support the show

Take a deep dive into (a contender) for the most successful theory of physics ever! Support the show

Can free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics?  Support the show

Today we talk about the theoretical particle at the forefront of current research. Learn how axions might explain not one but *two* open problems in physics! Support the show

Here's what happens when we introduce quantum mechanics to one of the weirdest objects in the universe. Hint - things get hairy. Support the show

Today we talk about black holes - from their early history to their role in the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics.  Support the show

Does science get us closer to understanding what the universe is actually like, or is it just a useful tool to build technology with? Today we get philosophical and talk through this deep question! Support the show

If life in the universe survives into the far future, it will eventually come face to face with the accelerating expansion of the universe caused by dark energy. Could a hyper-advanced civilization find a way to fight it? Support the show

Today our feed is getting taken over by Brendan Drachler to bring you an episode of his show, The State of the Universe! Science moves at an impossibly fast pace. It will leave you wondering, what is the state of the universe? Wonder no more! Learn from researchers working at the cutting edge of scientific advancement about everything from the robot takeover to the big bang only on The State of Th...

Are there other intelligent civilizations out there, or are we alone here on Earth? And what have we done to try to find them? Support the show

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

These theories aim to explain all of the fundamental forces (except gravity) in one neat package. How does it work? Support the show

What in the laws of physics differentiates between past and future? Is there a physical reason that time always moves forward?  Support the show