04/11/2014
Adam Walton visits Swansea University to meet the theoretical particle physicists investigating the fundamental structure of the universe.
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The equations that unlock the universe
Duration: 03:46
Theoretical Physics
In this weekβs Science CafΓ© Adam meets the scientists asking the BIG questions: questions like βwhatβs the universe made of?β; βwhat happened during the Big Bang?β; and βwhat would it be like to be at the centre of a neutron star, the densest object in the universe?β
The scientists posing these questions are the Particle Physics Theory Group at Swansea University, one of the largest groups of its kind in the UK. Theyβre part of a worldwide community of theoretical physicists who are exploring the origins and structure of everything around us.
Adam talks to three members of the group - Prem Kumar, Gert Aarts and Maurizio Piai -Β to find out what the work of a theoretical physicist involves. They explain quarks, quantum field theory and their interest in the forces which hold atoms together. And they consider the elegance and beauty of equations and what kind of mind you need to grapple with the mathematics underlying the universe.
Broadcasts
- Tue 4 Nov 2014 18:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Wales
- Sun 9 Nov 2014 06:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Wales
Adam Walton
Adam's "other job" - tune in every Saturday at 10 PM for the best new music from Wales.