essay
Physics
Chasing ghost particles
Without the neutrino, the Universe might be an empty void. But this inscrutable particle isn’t giving up its secrets easily
Corey S Powell
essay
Quantum theory
Quantum dialectics
When quantum mechanics posed a threat to the Marxist doctrine of materialism, communist physicists sought to reconcile the two
Jim Baggott
video
Cosmology
Tiny, entangled universes that form or fizzle out – a theory of the quantum multiverse
11 minutes
essay
Quantum theory
We are not empty
The concept of the atomic void is one of the most repeated mistakes in popular science. Molecules are packed with stuff
Mario Barbatti
video
Physics
There’s a striking link between quantum and astronomic scales. What could it mean?
5 minutes
essay
Quantum theory
Untangling entanglement
Why does the quantum world behave in that strange, spooky way? Here’s our simple, four-step explanation (no magic needed)
Huw Price & Ken Wharton
essay
Quantum theory
All possible worlds
Long a matter of philosophical speculation, the idea of multiple realities has been given new artistic licence by physics
Timothy Andersen
essay
Quantum theory
All is One
The ancient philosophy of monism and the physics of quantum entanglement agree: all that exists is one unified whole
Heinrich Päs
video
Quantum theory
Why aren’t our everyday lives as ‘spooky’ as the quantum world?
7 minutes
video
Physics
The tangled tale of how physicists built a groundbreaking wormhole in a lab
17 minutes
essay
Cosmology
Cogitating black holes
The Universe cannot always be understood through observation. Instead, physicists explore by devising thought experiments
Michael Dine
essay
Mathematics
Imaginary numbers are real
These odd values were long dismissed as bookkeeping. Now physicists are proving that they describe the hidden shape of nature
Karmela Padavic-Callaghan
essay
Quantum theory
Quantum Wittgenstein
Metaphysical debates in quantum physics don’t get at ‘truth’ – they’re nothing but a form of ritual, activity and culture
Timothy Andersen
video
Computing and artificial intelligence
From ‘chandeliers’ to entangled qubits, here’s what happens inside a quantum computer
9 minutes
video
Quantum theory
Mind-bending new quantum experiments are blurring past, present and future
10 minutes
essay
Economics
A softer economics
Financial markets are entangled and uncertain. When will economists let go of physics envy to embrace the quantum revolution?
David Orrell
essay
History of science
Calculate but don’t shut up
The cliché has it that the Copenhagen interpretation demands adherence without deep enquiry. That does physics a disservice
Jim Baggott
video
Physics
The Standard Model might be the most successful theory in science. But what is it?
16 minutes
essay
Physics
The unified Universe
Physics displays an uncanny alignment at its very deepest levels. Is a grand theory of everything finally within reach?
James Wells
video
Physics
Time is fundamental, space is emergent – why physicists are rethinking reality
9 minutes
essay
Quantum theory
Quantum music
Physics has long looked to harmony to explain the beauty of the Universe. But what if dissonance yields better insights?
Katie McCormick
video
Quantum theory
‘Moving paintings’ evoke a quantum particle collision at the Large Hadron Collider
4 minutes
essay
Biology
Life with purpose
Biologists balk at any talk of ‘goals’ or ‘intentions’ – but a bold new research agenda has put agency back on the table
Philip Ball
essay
Physics
From chaos to free will
A crude understanding of physics sees determinism at work in the Universe. Luckily, molecular uncertainty ensures this isn’t so
George Ellis