The Conversation

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Channel • 21 Shows

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Physics

Updated weekly
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Updated 31/07/2019
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Updated 28/04/2020
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Updated 25/03/2021
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Monthly
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Twice monthly
News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated 27/03/2025

29/03/2023

Quantum mechanics: does objective reality exist?

It is hard to shake the intuition that there's a real and objective physical world out there. If I see an umbrella on top of a shelf, I assume you do too. And if I don't look at the umbrella, I expect it to remain there as long as nobody steals it. But the theory of quantum mechanics, which governs the micro-world of atoms and particles, threatens this commonsense view. Featuring Chiara Marletto, Research Fellow of Physics, and Christopher Timpson, Professor of Philosophy of Physics, both at the University of Oxford, and Marcus Huber, Professor of Physics, TU Wien. This episode is presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: 'QBism': quantum mechanics is not an objective description of reality – it reveals a world of genuine free will

29/03/2023

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53 min
22/03/2023

Is there a multiverse?

Interest in the multiverse theory, suggesting that our universe is just one of many, has spiked since the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once was released. The film follows Evelyn Wang on her journey to connect with versions of herself in parallel universes to stop the destruction of the multiverse. The multiverse idea has long been an inspiration for science fiction writers. But does it have any basis in science? And if so, is it a concept we could ever test experimentally? Featuring Andrew Pontzen, professor of Cosmology at University College London, Katie Mack, Hawking chair in cosmology and science communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and Sabine Hossenfelder, research fellow of physics at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies. This episode is presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: The multiverse: how we're tackling the challenges facing the theoryCurious Kids: how likely is it that there are parallel universes and other Earths?The multiverse: our universe is suspiciously unlikely to exist – unless it is one of many

22/03/2023

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41 min
08/03/2023

Is time an illusion?

Without a sense of time, leading us from cradle to grave, our lives would make little sense. But on the most fundamental level, physicists aren't sure whether the sort of time we experience exists at all. We talk to three experts and find out if time could potentially be moving backwards as well as forwards. Featuring Sean Carroll, Homewood professor of natural philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, Emily Adlam, postdoctoral associate of the philosophy of physics at Western University and Natalia Ares, Royal Society university research fellow at the University of Oxford. This episode was presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Quantum mechanics: how the future might influence the pastFour misconceptions about quantum physics

08/03/2023

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44 min
15/03/2023

Fundamental constants: is the universe fine tuned for life to exist?

Imagine a universe with extremely strong gravity. Stars would be able to form from very little material. They would be smaller than in our universe and live for a much shorter amount of time. But could life evolve there? It after all took human life billions of years to evolve on Earth under the pleasantly warm rays from the Sun. Now imagine a universe with extremely weak gravity. Its matter would struggle to clump together to form stars, planets and – ultimately – living beings. It seems we are pretty lucky to have gravity that is just right for life in our universe. Featuring Fred Adams, professor of physics, University of Michigan, and Paul Davies, professor of physics, Arizona State University. This episode was presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: The multiverse is suspiciously unlikely to exist unless it is one of many

15/03/2023

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42 min
12/04/2023

Theory of everything: do we really need one?

The quest for a theory of everything – explaining all the forces and particles in the universe – is arguably the holy grail of physics. While each of our main theories of physics works extraordinarily well, they also clash with each other. But do we really need a theory of everything? And are we anywhere near achieving one? Featuring Vlatko Vedral, a professor of physics at the University of Oxford and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, an assistant professor in physics and astronomy and core faculty in women's and gender studies at the University Of New Hampshire. This episode is presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: The standard model of particle physics may be broken – an expert explains

12/04/2023

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57 min
05/04/2023

Will we ever have a fundamental theory of life and consciousness?

What’s the difference between a living collection of matter, such as a tortoise, and an inanimate lump of it, such as a rock? They are, after all, both just made up of non-living atoms. The truth is, we don’t really know yet. Life seems to just somehow emerge from non-living parts. Featuring Jim Al-Khalili, professor of physics at the University of Surrey and Sara Imari Walker professor of physics at Arizona State University. This episode is presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Life: modern physics can’t explain it – but our new theory, which says time is fundamental, might

05/04/2023

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48 min
26/11/2020

« P » comme Parentalité

Cet épisode est dédié à la notion de parentalité qui désigne les pratiques parentales, devenues un champ d'étude tant pour la psychiatrie, l'anthropologie que la sociologie. Claude Martin, sociologue, y a dédié plus de trente ans de recherches. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

26/11/2020

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24 min
29/01/2018

Trust Me I’m An Expert: Why February is the real danger month for power blackouts

There are ways we can stay cool in a heat wave without blasting air con at peak times. AAP Image/TRACEY NEARMYIt’s been hot – and it’s going to get hotter. Australia has experienced some record hot days in recent weeks and scientists say Sydney and Melbourne need to prepare for 50°C days by the end of the century, or sooner. In today’s episode of Trust Me I’m An Expert, we’re unpacking the research on why some of the most disadvantaged parts of our cities cop the worst of a heatwave. And Chris Dunstan, an expert on energy policy, explains why February is the month when energy ministers and energy operators really get worried there won’t be enough electricity to go around – and how you can do your bit to curb blackout risk. Join us as we ask academic experts to explain the issues making news in Australia. Trust Me, I’m An Expert is out at the start of every month. Find us and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts. Further reading Beyond Coal: Alternatives to extending the life of Liddell power station, by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS. Explainer: power station ‘trips’ are normal, but blackouts are not Additional music and audio Kindergarten by Unkle Ho, from Elefant Traks Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Summertime. YACHT: Summer Song (Instrumental) from Free Music Archive Broke For Free: Summer Spliffs from Free Music Archive Unheard Music Concepts: Hot Summer Day from Free Music Archive Ketsa: Summer from Free Music Archive RT: Sizzling Up: Australian policeman fries egg on car hood in 46°C weather via YouTube Lateline: Cities need adapt to deadly heatwaves from ABC News ABC news report ABC news Seven News, January 8, 2018

29/01/2018

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19 min
19/11/2020

« P » comme Peer review

Les mots de la science, le podcast qui décrypte les mots clés de la recherche pour mieux comprendre l’époque. Cet épisode est dédié à la notion de « peer review », l'évaluation par les pairs. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

19/11/2020

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23 min
20/10/2021

À la conquête de l’espace : quelles sont les recherches scientifiques menées dans la station internationale ?

Claudie Haigneré, première, et toujours seule, femme astronaute française nous raconte les expériences scientifiques qu'elle a menées dans la station Mir pendant la mission Cassiopée et dans la Station spatiale internationale lors de la mission Andromède. Cette dernière est le seul laboratoire où il est possible d'étudier des phénomènes physiques, chimiques ou biologiques en condition de microgravité. Elle nous renseigne également sur l'évolution des sciences dans l'espace, et sur ce que fait Thomas Pesquet en ce moment, au dessus de nos têtes. Crédits "In extenso." est un podcast produit par The Conversation France. Retrouvez les autres épisodes sur le site de The Conversation ou sur les plateformes de podcasts. Conception, Benoît Tonson. Réalisation, Romain Pollet, Chargé de production, Rayane Meguenni Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

20/10/2021

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20 min

Listen to experts explain the world around us and tell the stories behind brand new research. Podcasts from The Conversation, an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community. Shows in English, French and Bahasa Indonesia. Free to listen.