Science

Why This Universe?

by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

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Latest episodes

101 — How Will AI Change Physics? (Ft. Yoni Kahn)

October 12, 2026 · 56 min

In 2023, Dan made a bet with physicist Yoni Kahn about whether AI would be able to pass a graduate-level quantum field theory course by 2026. Today on the show, they revisit their bet and discuss what AI is capable of in physics today, and…
100 - What is Light? A Journey from Ancient Philosophy to Quantum Physics

August 24, 2026 · 37 min

Modern physics tells us a lot about light; that it's both a wave and a particle, and that it sets the speed limit of the universe, for example. But how did we come to understand light in this way? In Dan's first solo episode, he takes us…
99 - The 7 Most Exciting Developments in Physics Today + a WTU Update

August 3, 2026 · 36 min

It's been a while! To make up for lost time, today's episode is a rundown of all the physics news you should know. Hear what is keeping physicists at the edge of their seat, and what physics news you should keep your eyes out for in the…
98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)

January 19, 2026 · 41 min

An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum mechanics, and how physicists like him are testing it. For ad-free episodes and exclusive…
97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics

December 22, 2025 · 30 min

Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrödinger equation: how it works, what it says about nature, and why it revolutionized physics. For…

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96 - The Making of Particle Fever (Ft. David Kaplan)

November 24, 2025 · 53 min

In the years leading up to the Large Hadron Collider turning on, the physics community was buzzing with curiosity and excitement about what they were about to discover. These moments were captured in the documentary Particle Fever, created…
95 - Would Aliens Have the Same Physics? (Ft. Daniel Whiteson)

November 4, 2025 · 43 min

If we met aliens, could we communicate through physics? Daniel Whiteson explores this question on today's episode. For more, check out his new book, Do Aliens Speak Physics? For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join…
38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses (2025 Update)

October 13, 2025 · 34 min

In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee. For ad-free episodes and exclusive ask-us-anything segments, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon…
94 - Inside the Hubble Tension (Ft. Adam Riess)

September 29, 2025 · 32 min

Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisis means from Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join…
93 - The Moment Dark Energy Appeared (Ft. Adam Riess)

September 15, 2025 · 40 min

Adam Riess recounts the moments of his Nobel prize-winning discovery that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, powered by a mysterious energy source called dark energy. For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusives, join…
AUA: Changing Dark Energy, Twin Paradox, and What's Next for CERN

May 2, 2025 · 55 min

We answer your questions. To listen to our backlog of ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to submit your questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show
AUA: The Early Universe, Quantum Interpretations, and Asteroids

March 9, 2025 · 29 min

To listen to our backlog of past ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to ask us questions: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverse Support the show

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About the show

The biggest ideas in physics, broken down. Join theoretical physicist Dan Hooper and co-host Shalma Wegsman as they answer your questions about dark matter, black holes, quantum mechanics, and more. Part of The University of Chicago Podcast Network.