ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Science => Faculties => Physics => Topic started by: QuantumJG on November 25, 2009, 12:31:45 am

Title: The Elegant Universe
Post by: QuantumJG on November 25, 2009, 12:31:45 am
For anyone who really loves their physics, they will really enjoy this documentary.

It goes through a lot of stuff such as the discovery of the four fundamental forces and shows the viewer in laymens terms how quantum mechanics and relativity works and ultimately it tries to explain to the viewer why unifying quantum mechanics with relativity is needed. Which this documentary states that string theory will accomplish (but apparently there is more theories on unification - quantum loop gravity?).

Me being a first year physics student still has very little knowledge of physics, but I have found physics interesting to study. This documentary though has inspired me to really try and go deeper into the physics principles taught during second year physics. The documentary has shown me just how fun learning physics will be when I delve further into my physics studies.

Great documentary!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULlR_pkHjUQ#
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: kendraaaaa on November 25, 2009, 01:00:14 am
Thanks for the share!
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: /0 on November 25, 2009, 12:43:43 pm
I remember watching this documentary late at night perhaps five years ago... I think it is a big reason why I got into physics.

Speaking of an elegant universe, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM6wSPw_HSk from 1:51 onwards (fullscreen)

I love the universe, that's why I want to become a physicist
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: Cthulhu on November 27, 2009, 04:35:39 pm
A quick google search tells me (because I haven't watched the video yet) that the video is related to "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. It's a good book and sounds like it goes along the same lines as the video about relativity and quantum physics and why we need a unified theory. If you have time over the summer I recommend reading it before uni starts.

/0, My love of the universe is why I want to be a physicist too. Maybe we'll work together one day and solve the mysteries of the universe! :p
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: appianway on November 27, 2009, 04:53:37 pm
Ahh, I think I've heard of that documentary.

I'll just add my two cents about my own love of the universe - the link between philosophy and physics intrigues me, and it's the whole notion of time and existence that draws me towards the subject. I guess I've always been interested in space itself (when I was 3 I had all of these books on Black Holes!), but reading A Brief History of Time around 9 years ago really ignited my fascination in physics itself. Maybe one day we'll ALL work on physics together! :)
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: /0 on November 27, 2009, 05:30:05 pm
lol physics is so badass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5oc-70Fby4
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: Cthulhu on November 27, 2009, 05:41:23 pm
That scene is very similar to some of the moments I've had at uni this year with my friends except you've got to imagine us sitting in a library spinning around in chairs and slamming our heads on desks. Fucking electromagnetism....
Title: Re: The Elegant Universe
Post by: QuantumJG on December 02, 2009, 10:35:02 am
That scene is very similar to some of the moments I've had at uni this year with my friends except you've got to imagine us sitting in a library spinning around in chairs and slamming our heads on desks. Fucking electromagnetism....

Lol!

Electromagnetism is badass. Me and my friends had these moments with special relativity though. Quantum mechanics and Special relativity is going to be my number one subject to focus on in semester 1 next year.

Also where can you buy that book?

I have been interested in space ever since I saw apollo 13 (I was probably 5), first off it was more feeling scared due to thinking about drifting into space forever.