Explainers
Space-Time: The Biggest Problem in Physics
What is the deepest level of reality? In this Quanta explainer, Vijay Balasubramanian, a physicist at the University of Pennsylvania, takes us on a journey through space-time to investigate what it’s made of, why it’s failing us, and where physics can go next.
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Renee Reijo Pera on the Importance of Timing in Embryo Development
Stem cell researcher Renee Reijo Pera of Montana State University explains how the timing of developmental events in the early embryo can subtly affect health many years later.
Tomas Bohr on Performing the Double-Slit Experiment with Bouncing Droplets
Tomas Bohr explains the significance of the double-slit experiment in exposing the weirdness of the quantum world.
Rosaly Lopes on Volcanoes Throughout the Solar System
Rosaly Lopes explains why it’s worth exploring the huge variety of volcanoes on other worlds.
What Is Universality?
Scientists have discovered a mysterious pattern that somehow connects a bus system in Mexico and chicken eyes to quantum physics and number theory.
Akshay Venkatesh: A Number Theorist Who Bridges Math and Time
Akshay Venkatesh on his mathematical working style, which took him many years to discover.
Constantinos Daskalakis: A Poet of Computation Who Uncovers Distant Truths
Constantinos Daskalakis on why he studies the interface between theoretical computer science and human behavior.
Caucher Birkar: An Innovator Who Brings Order to an Infinitude of Equations
Birkar discusses the need for originality in mathematics and in life.
Alessio Figalli: A Traveler Who Finds Stability in the Natural World
Figalli explains how physical intuition can play a key role — but not the only role — in mathematical thinking.
Cohl Furey on the Octonions and Particle Physics
Cohl Furey explains what octonions are and what they might have to do with particle physics.