Physics

Standard Model particles symmetry
The combination of charge conjugation, parity, and time-reversal symmetry is known as CPT. And it must never be broken. Ever.
The solution involves the infamous Navier-Stokes equations, which are so difficult, there is a $1-million prize for solving them.
The Universe isn't as "clumpy" as we think it should be.
A circular pattern of overlapping purple and white spirals and loops appears against a black background.
3mins
Left–Right, Back–Forth, Up–Down. What’s the fourth dimension?
7mins
How the Big Bang gave us time, explained by theoretical physicist.
einstein quantum
When you bring two fingers together, you can feel them "touch" each other. But are your atoms really touching, and if so, how?
a man playing a violin in front of a piano.
To Einstein, nature had to be rational. But quantum physics showed us that there was not always a way to make it so.
Cartwheel galaxy new star formation
Humanity's newest, most powerful space telescope is performing even better than predicted. The reason why is unprecedented.
The central equation of quantum mechanics, the Schrödinger equation, is different from the equations found in classical physics.
quantum sensors
It isn't just identical particles that can be entangled, but even those with fundamentally different properties interfere with each other.
Laser-guided lightning systems could someday offer much greater protection than lightning rods.
5mins
Do humans have souls, or are we just particles? Physicist Sabine Hossenfelder explains.
dark matter
Though a single measurement is not enough to definitively decide the debate, this is a major win for dark matter proponents.
dark energy accelerated expansion
Yes, dark energy is real. Yes, distant galaxies recede faster and faster as time goes on. But the expansion rate isn't accelerating at all.
image of subatomic particles
The quantum world — and its inherent uncertainty — defies our ability to describe it in words.
6mins
How did complex systems emerge from chaos? Physicist Sean Carroll explains.
For years and over three separate experiments, "lepton universality" appeared to violate the Standard Model. LHCb at last proved otherwise.
It's spooky, and it's happening all around us. And inside us.
1hr 33mins
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Universe, explained by physicist Sean Carroll.
a yellow drawing of a man's face with a wave pattern.
A concept known as "wave-particle duality" famously applies to light. But it also applies to all matter — including you.
Its implications go well beyond the Earth itself, affecting even the future of space travel.
nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion has long been seen as the future of energy. As the NIF now passes the breakeven point, how close are we to our ultimate goal?
Light carries with it the secrets of reality in ways we cannot completely understand.
vanadium dioxide
Vanadium dioxide is a strange material that "remembers" information and when it was stored. This is akin to biological memory.
SpinLaunch will cleverly attempt to reach space with minimal rocket fuel. But will physics prevent a full-scale version from succeeding?
quantum entanglement
Maybe our understanding of quantum entanglement is incomplete, or maybe there is something fundamentally unique about consciousness.
6mins
Debates about the existence of free will traditionally have been fought by two competing camps: those who believe in free will and those who don’t because they believe the Universe […]
liquid water
There are at least 15 different types of solid water (ice). Now, scientists believe that there might be a second type of liquid water.