Why the “Laws” of Physics May Not be as Fixed as We Once Thought
To understand the vast universe, you must think smaller.
Tiny, in fact.
1/100-millionth the diameter of a hydrogen atom nucleus, to be exact.
Quantum foam is the tiny quantum material that fills everything – even what scientists once thought of as empty space.
Now it’s time to think larger – because this “quantum foam” fills every square inch of, well, everywhere.
Astrophysicist & Professor Neil deGrasse explains quantum foam like this.
When the fabric of space and time is so tightly curved on itself, space-time is less a smooth curve and more like the froth on a latte. In this state of matter and energy, quantum fluctuations can spawn entire universes, each with slightly different laws of physics within them!
Experiments Suggest “Quantum Foam” is Real
Until recently these concepts were mere theory. But recent experiments have provided clues that this might be true.
When analyzing gamma-ray photons from a nearby star, photons with different energy levels arrived at different times. This suggests one photon moved more slowly than another. This contradicts the Theory of General Relativity’s notion that the speed of light is constant.
Scientists say this contradiction could be explained by the quantum foam theory, but the research has left us with more questions than answers.
“We know a lot about the universe. But there’s even more that we don’t know,” says astrophysicist and Professor Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, award-winning lecturer, and one of the world’s foremost experts on the mysteries of the universe.
One thing is for certain – everything we thought we knew about space, time, and matter is being questioned right now with fascinating results.
Where to Learn More About “Quantum Foam”
If you’d like to hear more details about the quantum foam theory, Professor Tyson explains it in terms that anyone with reasonable intelligence can understand, you can watch it here.
There’s a reason why he’s an award winning lecturer featured on popular TV shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Real Time with Bill Maher. It’s because he can make extraordinarily complex topics easy to understand.
And he does just that with “Quantum Foam” in his new lecture series “The Inexplicable Universe: Unsolved Mysteries”. As well as other mind-bending topics.
Like neutrinos – fast-moving particles made in the sun’s core which hardly interact with matter. And String Theory – an astounding theory about other dimensions that could unify all the particles and forces of physics.
The lecture series has rave reviews and is only available through The Great Courses Plus website. They have a great reputation for working with the best of the best of teachers and thinkers. And in this case they did not fail to deliver.
If you’re interested in understanding more about these topics without all the complex math, chemistry, and physics jargon, check out the reviews for Professor Tyson’s lectures here and watch a short video sample.