Loop Quantum Gravity Explained

3,937
by Super User, 5 years ago
0 0
Sign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord!
https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetime

Check out the Space Time Merch Store
https://pbsspacetime.com/

It’s time we talked about loop quantum gravity. What exactly is it? What are the loops? And can it really defeat string theory in our quest for a Theory of Everything?

Hosted by Matt O'Dowd
Written by Graeme Gossel & Matt O'Dowd
Graphics by Murilo Lopes
Directed by: Andrew Kornhaber
Executive Producers: Eric Brown & Andrew Kornhaber

The holy grail of physics is to connect our understanding of the tiny scales of atoms and subatomic particles with that of the vast scales of planets, galaxies, and the entire universe. To connect quantum physics with Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Our search for a theory of quantum gravity is a century old, and we’ve talked quite a bit about it already, including what’s probably the lead contender - string theory. But string theory isn’t the only game in town - or so some physicists believe. There may be another way to reconcile the physics of the tiny and the gigantic - another way to a theory of quantum gravity that avoids a lot of conceptual baggage like tiny wiggling strings made of coiled up extra dimensions. That other way would be loop quantum gravity, and today we’re going to learn exactly what it is.

Special Thanks to Our Patreon Supporters

Big Bang Supporters:
David Barnholdt
David Boyer
David Nicklas
Fabrice Eap
Juan Benet
matt miller
Morgan Hough

Quasar:
Mark Heising
Mark Rosenthal
Vinnie Falco

Hypernova:
chuck zegar
Danton Spivey
Donal Botkin
Edmund Fokschaner
Hank S
joe pearce
John Hofmann
John R. Slavik
Jordan Young
Joseph Salomone
Mathew
Matthew O'Connor
Syed Ansar

Gamma Ray Burst:
A G
Adrien Molyneux
AlecZero
Andreas Nautsch
Bradley Jenkins
Brandon labonte
Brian
Dan Warren
Daniel Lyons
David Bethala
DFaulk
Frederic Simon
Geoffrey Short
Graydon Goss
Greg Smith
James Flowers
John Funai
John Griffith
John Michael Kerr
John Pollock
John Robinson
Jonathan Nesfeder
Joseph Dillman
Josh Thomas
Kevin Lee
Kevin Warne
Kyle Hofer
Malte Ubl
Nick Virtue
Nick Wright
Paul Rose
Scott Gossett
Sean Warniaha
Tim Stephani
Tonyface
Yurii Konovaliuk