Quirkcast

Join us on Quirkcast for a casual exploration of the intriguing world of symmetries in physics. We'll chat about how these fundamental principles play a role in everything, from the tiniest particles to the vast structures of the universe. Discover the beauty of symmetrical patterns in nature and their impact on scientific theories, as we unravel mysteries from the quantum scale to cosmic dimensions. We'll also touch on the significance of the different types of symmetries in the laws of physics and how it leads to groundbreaking discoveries, like the Higgs boson. With discussions and insights from experts, this episode is a casual journey into the simplicity and order that symmetries bring to our understanding of the universe. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

Welcome to our episode on mirror universes. We'll be discussing how our universe might have a mirror image, flipping things around in a kind of cosmic reflection. We'll explore the idea of particles having mirror versions (parity), transforming into opposites (charge conjugation), and even going backward in time (time reversal). It's like a puzzle of the cosmos that physicists are trying to solve. Join us for a laid-back conversation about these concepts and the potential existence of mirror particles. Whether you're into science or just curious about the mysteries of the universe, this episode aims to make these complex ideas a bit more understandable. Tune in to Quirkcast for an exploration of the world of mirror universes. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

In this captivating episode of Quirkcast, we delve into the elusive world of virtual particles, the ghostly entities that flicker in and out of existence in the quantum realm. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of these theoretical particles, fundamental to understanding the forces and interactions at the heart of our universe. We'll explore the perplexing nature of these particles, governed by the uncertainty principle, and how they play a pivotal role in quantum field theory, influencing everything from the forces within an atom to the vast expanse of the cosmos. Our journey will also illuminate the significance of Feynman diagrams in visualizing the complex interactions involving virtual particles. Whether you're a seasoned physicist or just curious about the wonders of the quantum world, this episode is your gateway to comprehending one of the most intriguing aspects of modern science. Tune in to "Quantum Shadows: Unveiling the Enigma of Virtual Particles" for an intellectual adventure into the heart of quantum physics. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

Newton's law says that objects keep moving unless something stops them. This also applies to objects spinning around. Usually, things need to have a shape to spin, like a ball or a top. But in the world of tiny particles in quantum physics, even things without a shape, like fundamental particles, can spin. It's a bit weird because they don't spin around anything—they just have this property called "spin." This spin thing is important in quantum physics because it has some strange features, like not having a specific direction to spin and having unique properties useful for things like quantum computers. So in this episode, we'll dive into how these spins work in the quantum world. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

The particles in our Universe do a lot of things, without them the Universe would not be the way it is today. However, amongst the known particles, some are more helpful than others. Find out which particle is the worst from a subjective (theoretical) perspective, and also through the lens of our anthropomorphized Universe. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

We've all heard of the 3 phases of matter, but what about forces? It turns out, fundamental forces can have different phases just like matter. Like matter, these phases can and do change as external influences like temperature changes. In our Universe, all 3 phases are utilized by our fundamental forces, and they are critical in shaping the structure of our Universe Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

What keeps our nuclei stuck together? It's the somewhat less well-known particle, gluon. They reason we don't see it very much is because it is doing a superb job at jail-keeping its nuclear constituents. Gluons' peculiar abilities to keep things together may also provide us unlimited clean energy in the future. In this episode we'll describe just how the gluon manages to do its jobs and its importance for our Universe. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

What is the one particle that cannot be stopped? The answer would have to be the graviton. While the graviton interacts with everything, it also passes through everything mostly unscathed. This unique property makes graviton one of the greatest messengers of the Universe. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

The God's particle is a misnomer in particle physics: The Higgs Boson doesn't participate very much in the creation of our Universe. A more proper title for the Higgs Boson would be the Keystone particle, as it is the key that sets the interaction strength and relevant energies in our Universe. This episode we'll explore what that means. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

In this special Valentine Day's episode, we’ll introduce what may be considered the loneliest particles in the Universe -- magnetic monopoles, if it exists. Indeed, on this very same day in 1982, Prof. Blas Cabrera uncovered a potential signal for such a lonely wanderer. Unfortunately the findings were never repeated. Still monopoles can be hiding important secrets of nature, and its loneliness may critically impact the structure of our Universe. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

In particle physics, particles aren't necessarily the most important object. It turns out, physicists really are interested in the concept of fields, which will be the focus of this episode. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

If there's anything that could last forever, it might be fundamental particles. However, even that may not be true. In fact, particles can and do lose their identity over time, and their existence may ultimately be doomed. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

It has been widely popularized that our Universe will end in a heat death, where all interesting activities will cease. But is this really what will happen? With the inclusion of quantum physics, it turns out that heat death may not be so deadly after-all. In fact, there can still be interesting interactions after heat death, and in some cases, new universe can even emerge from the remains... Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

Unlike the ordinary time we experience, time in quantum systems behave rather differently. From unitarity to quantum recurrence, we explore just how weird quantum times can be, and how our macroscopic notion of time can merge from such a drastically different notion of quantum time. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

While time seems to always flow forward, is it ever possible for it to end? As it turns out, there might be more than just one ending. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

If our laws of physics look symmetrical both forward and backward in time, is it then possible to have time flow backward instead of forward? What would our world look like it the flow of time does change? From the big bang to anti-particles, we explore the physics behind the reversal of the flow of time. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

Out of the 4 spacetime dimensions, time is the only dimension that always seems to go forward. What is the ultimate cause of this phenomenon and what does that have to do with consciousness and fundamental forces? Find out in this episode Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

Entropy is often linked to chaos and disorder, but what is it really, and why do we need to involve quantum physics? In this episode we'll explore fully just what entropy is measuring and dispel some common myths. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

The Department of Energy recently announced a breakthrough in fusion science research https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-n... So how much of this is reality vs hype? How far away are we still from achieving fusion energy? Find out what the physics is about in this episode. Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z

Our understand of the physical world is based on abstract mathematics and equations, but how much of that is invented vs discovered? The answer isn't as obvious as what you might think... Visit http://www.quirkcast.org/ Discord: https://discord.gg/7c6myZ8Z