Chapter
The Search for a Unified Theory in Physics
31:56 - 41:29 (09:33)
Physicists were optimistic about finding a unified theory in the past, but recent challenges have caused doubts about the effectiveness of certain theories. These challenges raise questions about blending the theories of the big and small scale together.
Clips
The Grand Unified Theory is a theory that encompasses all the building blocks of matter at the subatomic scale without including the force of gravity.
31:56 - 36:54 (04:57)
Summary
The Grand Unified Theory is a theory that encompasses all the building blocks of matter at the subatomic scale without including the force of gravity. Physicists aim to unify the theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity, the latter of which is the best understanding that we have of the nature of space and time.
ChapterThe Search for a Unified Theory in Physics
Episode#471 - Jim Al-Khalili - Physics Is Far Stranger Than You Think
PodcastModern Wisdom
Physicists were once confident that theories like superstring and M-theory were the right path to understanding our universe.
36:55 - 41:29 (04:34)
Summary
Physicists were once confident that theories like superstring and M-theory were the right path to understanding our universe. However, questions about the compatibility of the big and small theories, as well as limited progress in recent years, have made the future of physics more uncertain.