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- S1 E1 - Two Prototype Theories of EverythingMarch 2, 201733minEmbark with Dr. Lincoln on a search for a theory of everything - a simple and comprehensive explanation for all physical phenomena in the universe. Confront the incompatibility of our two best prototypes: the standard model of particle physics and the general theory of relativity. #Science & MathematicsFree trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E2 - The Union of Electricity and MagnetismMarch 2, 201728minLearn how two seemingly separate phenomena, electricity and magnetism, were shown by James Clerk Maxwell in the 1860s to be aspects of a single underlying force, demonstrating how unification works in physics. Then see how Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism make a remarkable prediction.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E3 - Particles and Waves: The Quantum WorldMarch 2, 201732minFollow one of the strangest turns in modern science: the discovery of the paradoxical world of light, which spawned the theory of quantum mechanics. Discover how light and matter behave as both particles and waves, and look at evidence for this curious feature of the quantum world.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E4 - Einstein Unifies Space, Time, and LightMarch 2, 201730minTrace the reasoning that led Einstein to his special theory of relativity, proposed in 1905. Address common misconceptions about this startling new view of time and space, which led to ideas such as mass-energy equivalence, the impossibility of faster-than-light travel, and the space-time continuum.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E5 - Relativistic Quantum Fields and FeynmanMarch 2, 201731minTake a deeper step into the quantum world, observing how the theory of quantum electrodynamics, or QED, unites quantum mechanics with special relativity. Discover that the handy sketches of subatomic behavior called Feynman diagrams (named after physicist Richard Feynman) are really equations in disguise.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E6 - Neutrinos Violating Parity and the Weak ForceMarch 2, 201731minStudy the weak nuclear force, which is responsible for beta decay: the emission of an electron from a nucleus during radioactive decay. Discover that much more is going on, including weird transformations that pose a challenge to a theory of everything.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E7 - Flavor Changes via the Weak ForceMarch 2, 201729minAnalyze more idiosyncrasies of the weak force, focusing on the three massive particles that mediate its interactions. Discover that the weak force is unique in its ability to change a characteristic called flavor, and learn that at high energies the weak force is exceptionally strong.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E8 - Electroweak Unification via the Higgs FieldMarch 2, 201728minA key step in the quest for a theory of everything has been the realization that the electromagnetic and weak forces are aspects of the same force. Follow the saga of electroweak unification, which culminated in the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E9 - Quarks, Color, and the Strong ForceMarch 2, 201732minExplore the force that helps hold the atomic nucleus together, called the strong force. Chart the discovery of this mysterious mechanism - which only works at extremely short range - and see how it led to concepts such as quarks, gluons, and the color force, which is responsible for the strong interaction.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E10 - Standard Model Triumphs and ChallengesMarch 2, 201729minBring together all the concepts studied so far to gauge how close physicists are to a theory of everything. Focus on the shortcomings of the standard model. Then zero in on two burning questions: Why is the mass of the Higgs boson so low, and why does matter predominate over antimatter?Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E11 - How Neutrino Identity OscillatesMarch 2, 201731minTransition to a new perspective as Professor Lincoln spotlights speculative ideas that may contribute to a theory of everything. In this lecture, explore the mysteries of neutrinos, which are extraordinarily hard to detect yet hold intriguing clues about the possible unity of fundamental forces.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E12 - Conservation Laws and Symmetry: Emmy NoetherMarch 2, 201731minConsider why mathematics is such an effective tool for describing nature. Then focus on mathematician Emmy Noether's remarkable insight that links symmetries in the equations of a physical system to conservation laws, such as the conservation of energy and conservation of momentum.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E13 - Theoretical Symmetries and MathematicsMarch 2, 201731minThe first inklings of a successful theory of everything will probably arise from symmetries and group theory. Prepare for this epochal moment by digging into these important mathematical ideas. Also, learn to approach proposed theories of everything with fascination, tinged with healthy skepticism.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E14 - Balancing Force and Matter: SupersymmetryMarch 2, 201734minOne of the most attractive ideas for physicists searching for a theory of everything is supersymmetry, which treats force- and matter-carrying particles as interchangeable. Explore major problems that supersymmetry solves and the shortcomings that convince some scientists that perhaps some other ideas must also be considered.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E15 - Why Quarks and Leptons?March 2, 201731minThe fundamental building blocks of matter are thought to be quarks (which interact by the strong force) and leptons (which interact by the electromagnetic and weak forces). But could there be a deeper level? Explore the theory of preons, which may be even more fundamental than quarks and leptons.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E16 - Newton's Gravity Unifies Earth and SkyMarch 2, 201729minGravity is by far the weakest of the fundamental forces. Learn how Newton achieved the first major unification in physics by showing that terrestrial and celestial gravity are the same. He also tacitly equated inertial mass and gravitational mass, leading to the startling theory 250 years later.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E17 - Einstein's Gravity Bends Space-TimeMarch 2, 201732minBuilt on the equivalence of inertial and gravitational mass, Einstein's general theory of relativity explains gravity in a surprising new way. See how matter and energy determine the shape of space and time. Investigate confirming evidence for general relativity, including the discovery of gravitational waves in 2015.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E18 - What Holds Each Galaxy Together: Dark MatterMarch 2, 201733minTrace the discovery of missing mass surrounding most galaxies, which leads scientists to infer that 85% of all matter is "dark" and can't be observed directly. Evaluate the major theories about this discrepancy, and consider its implications for a theory of everything.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E19 - What Pushes the Universe Apart: Dark EnergyMarch 2, 201732minTurn to dark energy, the ghostly energy field that appears to be pushing the universe apart at an ever-greater rate. Learn how this extraordinary discovery was made in 1998, and explore theories that attempt to explain dark energy and its strange consequences.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E20 - Quantum Gravity: Einstein, Strings, and LoopsMarch 2, 201731minA theory of everything must fit gravity into the quantum realm, reconciling the general theory of relativity with the standard model of particle physics. Explore the features of gravity that make this unification so difficult, and evaluate two intriguing approaches: superstring theory and loop quantum gravity.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E21 - From Weak Gravity to Extra DimensionsMarch 2, 201733minVenture into extra dimensions to investigate gravity's extraordinary weakness compared to the other fundamental forces. This journey also sheds light on the possible creation of subatomic black holes in particle accelerators and why tiny black holes pose no risk to humanity.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E22 - Big Bang and Inflation Explain Our UniverseMarch 2, 201732minStarting with the big bang, plot the history of our universe, focusing on events in the tiniest fraction of the first second, when phenomena such as supersymmetry, superstrings, and quantum loops may have come into play. Consider the explanatory power of the theory of cosmic inflation.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E23 - Free Parameters and Other UniversesMarch 2, 201731minNow step into the realm of other universes. Do they exist? If so, how could we possibly know? Start by examining the free parameters that govern the structure and behavior of our universe. Then seek answers to four crucial questions that address why the parameters take the values that they do.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E24 - Toward a Final Theory of EverythingMarch 2, 201735minFinish the course by reviewing unified theories since Newton, analyzing a remarkable equation that brings major insights together and represents the current status of a theory of everything. Then look ahead to the next steps, and hear Dr. Lincoln's own research agenda for this momentous quest.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
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