Why there's no such thing as cause and effect at the level of fundamental particle physics, and how our everyday experience of cause and effect arises due to entropy and the large-scale arrow of time
Why entropy gives rise to the arrow of time, how the initial state of the universe is responsible for the fact that we experience time now, and the ultimate heat death of the universe.
Two degrees above absolute zero was never so hot.
The subtle mechanics of densely packed cells may help explain why some cancerous tumors stay put while others break off and spread through the body.
We may be close to understanding the interactions of quarks and gluons within the nucleus of atoms, and when we do one of the longest-standing mysteries of physics, where the mass of the known matter of the universe comes from, may finally yield to humanity.
According to our best theories of physics, the universe is a fixed block where time only appears to pass. Yet a number of physicists hope to replace this “block universe” with a physical theory of time.
Hints of an unexpected new particle could be confirmed within days—and if it is, the Standard Model could be going down
In what reviewer Ashutosh (Ash) Jogalekar calls a "poignant and beautiful, simple and without frills and from the heart" exposition, Italian physicist Carlo Rovelli guides us through seven of the main ideas of physics. These are, Jogalekar writes, not just ideas that have advanced our understanding of science, but they are also ideas that have "expanded our consciousness and connected us to our origins and future."
Quantum entanglement is thought to be one of the trickiest concepts in science, but the core issues are simple. And once understood, entanglement opens up a richer understanding of concepts such as the “many worlds” of quantum theory.
Avogadro's number is sort of like a bridge. It bridges chemistry and atomic physics. In chemistry we measure bulk properties like mass, pressure, volume, temperature. However, when we consider these things from an atomic perspective we look at individual atoms and the momentum, velocity of these particles. Avogadro's number connects these two ideas and allows us to explore atomic-level things by measuring macroscopic level quantities. It’s a big deal.
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