who are your heroes when you’re a physicist it turns out this is an easy
physicist it turns out this is an easy
physicist it turns out this is an easy question to dodge you say Einstein and
question to dodge you say Einstein and
question to dodge you say Einstein and everybody’s happy but it came up
everybody’s happy but it came up
everybody’s happy but it came up recently and for the first time in a
recently and for the first time in a
recently and for the first time in a while I actually considered it and what
while I actually considered it and what
while I actually considered it and what I discovered surprised me at first
I discovered surprised me at first
I discovered surprised me at first because while I revere many of the great
because while I revere many of the great
because while I revere many of the great physicists and scientific thinkers
physicists and scientific thinkers
physicists and scientific thinkers throughout history my heroes aren’t
throughout history my heroes aren’t
throughout history my heroes aren’t physicists know these two Beethoven
physicists know these two Beethoven
physicists know these two Beethoven Miles Davis but then it made sense
Miles Davis but then it made sense
Miles Davis but then it made sense because the moment that ultimately
because the moment that ultimately
because the moment that ultimately brought me to my heroes took place well
brought me to my heroes took place well
brought me to my heroes took place well before I had any interest in science I
before I had any interest in science I
before I had any interest in science I was a kid
was a kid
was a kid 12:13 growing up in Michigan and I
12:13 growing up in Michigan and I
12:13 growing up in Michigan and I remember we had a few bookcases packed
remember we had a few bookcases packed
remember we had a few bookcases packed full of old books that I’d love to
full of old books that I’d love to
full of old books that I’d love to explore and these are books it turned
explore and these are books it turned
explore and these are books it turned out that mostly belonged to my late
out that mostly belonged to my late
out that mostly belonged to my late mother who passed away when I was six
mother who passed away when I was six
mother who passed away when I was six she was musician she played the cello in
she was musician she played the cello in
she was musician she played the cello in the piano and at the same time had an
the piano and at the same time had an
the piano and at the same time had an affinity for science
affinity for science
affinity for science she studied biology and so while I never
she studied biology and so while I never
she studied biology and so while I never experienced much of this in my life
experienced much of this in my life
experienced much of this in my life there years later through those books
there years later through those books
there years later through those books maybe I got to know her just a little
maybe I got to know her just a little
maybe I got to know her just a little better
better
better and one day particular book jumped out
and one day particular book jumped out
and one day particular book jumped out it was on music and emotions about
it was on music and emotions about
it was on music and emotions about psychological studies documenting this
psychological studies documenting this
psychological studies documenting this impact and so of course I love music but
impact and so of course I love music but
impact and so of course I love music but I became fascinated that something so
I became fascinated that something so
I became fascinated that something so abstract especially music without words
abstract especially music without words
abstract especially music without words could affect us so deeply it’s not just
could affect us so deeply it’s not just
could affect us so deeply it’s not just us
us
us you can play our music baaah jazz even
you can play our music baaah jazz even
you can play our music baaah jazz even to cows and they’re drawn to it they
to cows and they’re drawn to it they
to cows and they’re drawn to it they love it look it up
love it look it up
love it look it up but this wasn’t my real discovery
but this wasn’t my real discovery
but this wasn’t my real discovery because this came at the end of that
because this came at the end of that
because this came at the end of that book where there was a list of all the
book where there was a list of all the
book where there was a list of all the pieces used in these studies and how it
pieces used in these studies and how it
pieces used in these studies and how it made people feel and a few of the names
made people feel and a few of the names
made people feel and a few of the names they’re the composer’s were unfamiliar
they’re the composer’s were unfamiliar
they’re the composer’s were unfamiliar to me but for the most part I had never
to me but for the most part I had never
to me but for the most part I had never really cared and but here staring me in
really cared and but here staring me in
really cared and but here staring me in the face was why I should care because
the face was why I should care because
the face was why I should care because why would something 200 300 years old
why would something 200 300 years old
why would something 200 300 years old still elicit in people today such
still elicit in people today such
still elicit in people today such intense and intensely different emotions
intense and intensely different emotions
intense and intensely different emotions so I had to experience this and so from
so I had to experience this and so from
so I had to experience this and so from there a new universe was open to me
there a new universe was open to me
there a new universe was open to me every name and these pages was a new
every name and these pages was a new
every name and these pages was a new world to explore each work a new piece
world to explore each work a new piece
world to explore each work a new piece and the puzzle of course it quickly
and the puzzle of course it quickly
and the puzzle of course it quickly brought me to Beethoven eventually two
brought me to Beethoven eventually two
brought me to Beethoven eventually two miles but also to other areas of art for
miles but also to other areas of art for
miles but also to other areas of art for fun I got a literature degree while
fun I got a literature degree while
fun I got a literature degree while studying physics isn’t a true story it
studying physics isn’t a true story it
studying physics isn’t a true story it even today constantly seeking that
even today constantly seeking that
even today constantly seeking that beautiful moment of discovery when you
beautiful moment of discovery when you
beautiful moment of discovery when you crack some work of art whether it’s a
crack some work of art whether it’s a
crack some work of art whether it’s a poem or a painting and it reveals itself
poem or a painting and it reveals itself
poem or a painting and it reveals itself to you for the first time so I want to
to you for the first time so I want to
to you for the first time so I want to share one such moment that I had with a
share one such moment that I had with a
share one such moment that I had with a piece by one of my heroes
piece by one of my heroes
piece by one of my heroes not just any by Beethoven but perhaps
not just any by Beethoven but perhaps
not just any by Beethoven but perhaps his most impenetrable and uncompromising
his most impenetrable and uncompromising
his most impenetrable and uncompromising so written very near the end of his life
so written very near the end of his life
so written very near the end of his life when completely deaf his music takes on
when completely deaf his music takes on
when completely deaf his music takes on this otherworldly quality mystical
this otherworldly quality mystical
this otherworldly quality mystical elusive but with the deepest emotions
elusive but with the deepest emotions
elusive but with the deepest emotions it’s called the great fugue and it’s
it’s called the great fugue and it’s
it’s called the great fugue and it’s written for a string quartet for voices
written for a string quartet for voices
written for a string quartet for voices so the universe that he creates in this
so the universe that he creates in this
so the universe that he creates in this piece begins with a bang a chord played
piece begins with a bang a chord played
piece begins with a bang a chord played as loud as possible from which these
as loud as possible from which these
as loud as possible from which these four voices begin to separate into a
four voices begin to separate into a
four voices begin to separate into a sequence of musical fragments somehow
sequence of musical fragments somehow
sequence of musical fragments somehow related and then silence this is not how
related and then silence this is not how
related and then silence this is not how music begins and it’s only after you
music begins and it’s only after you
music begins and it’s only after you hear it that you realize what he’s doing
hear it that you realize what he’s doing
hear it that you realize what he’s doing is giving you the building blocks for
is giving you the building blocks for
is giving you the building blocks for everything that comes later and of
everything that comes later and of
everything that comes later and of course the laws that govern what these
course the laws that govern what these
course the laws that govern what these four voices can do with these building
four voices can do with these building
four voices can do with these building blocks the music the rules of music that
blocks the music the rules of music that
blocks the music the rules of music that he had at the time and so from these
he had at the time and so from these
he had at the time and so from these very basic ingredients he then unleashes
very basic ingredients he then unleashes
very basic ingredients he then unleashes this fugue where he does everything
this fugue where he does everything
this fugue where he does everything within his creative powers to transform
within his creative powers to transform
within his creative powers to transform we’ve clash
we’ve clash
we’ve clash different incarnations of these
different incarnations of these
different incarnations of these fragments among the different voices and
fragments among the different voices and
fragments among the different voices and he quickly builds a complexity that is
he quickly builds a complexity that is
he quickly builds a complexity that is so staggering that it becomes a beauty
so staggering that it becomes a beauty
so staggering that it becomes a beauty in itself and then from this chaos other
in itself and then from this chaos other
in itself and then from this chaos other beauties structure and harmony emerge
beauties structure and harmony emerge
beauties structure and harmony emerge only to be swallowed again there’s an
only to be swallowed again there’s an
only to be swallowed again there’s an extended period of haunting quiet
extended period of haunting quiet
extended period of haunting quiet reflection where he’s either pondering
reflection where he’s either pondering
reflection where he’s either pondering or revealing some great secret of the
or revealing some great secret of the
or revealing some great secret of the universe and Hana continues for full
universe and Hana continues for full
universe and Hana continues for full 1718 minutes one of the most incredible
1718 minutes one of the most incredible
1718 minutes one of the most incredible endings in a piece of music but it’s a
endings in a piece of music but it’s a
endings in a piece of music but it’s a piece that I encourage you to discover
piece that I encourage you to discover
piece that I encourage you to discover on your own it’s an overwhelming
on your own it’s an overwhelming
on your own it’s an overwhelming experience the one that offers no
experience the one that offers no
experience the one that offers no answers it remains one of these enduring
answers it remains one of these enduring
answers it remains one of these enduring enigmas in all of music and of course
enigmas in all of music and of course
enigmas in all of music and of course when the I had to crack when I
when the I had to crack when I
when the I had to crack when I discovered it so there I was a few years
discovered it so there I was a few years
discovered it so there I was a few years ago naively grappling with this piece so
ago naively grappling with this piece so
ago naively grappling with this piece so complex that I had no business thinking
complex that I had no business thinking
complex that I had no business thinking I could understand it I simply should
I could understand it I simply should
I could understand it I simply should not be able to and there in these
not be able to and there in these
not be able to and there in these struggles though it hit me yeah this is
struggles though it hit me yeah this is
struggles though it hit me yeah this is physics this is my physics of course
physics this is my physics of course
physics this is my physics of course it’s not exactly the same but the
it’s not exactly the same but the
it’s not exactly the same but the experience at that moment was remarkably
experience at that moment was remarkably
experience at that moment was remarkably similar and this is what I like to think
similar and this is what I like to think
similar and this is what I like to think Beethoven was doing was giving us his
Beethoven was doing was giving us his
Beethoven was doing was giving us his musical impression of nature where from
musical impression of nature where from
musical impression of nature where from all the ugliness and incomprehensible
all the ugliness and incomprehensible
all the ugliness and incomprehensible ‘ti that surround us we also find great
‘ti that surround us we also find great
‘ti that surround us we also find great beauties and deep mysteries his universe
beauties and deep mysteries his universe
beauties and deep mysteries his universe is our universe it’s my universe and if
is our universe it’s my universe and if
is our universe it’s my universe and if the experience of his can give give us
the experience of his can give give us
the experience of his can give give us such a response now I couldn’t the
such a response now I couldn’t the
such a response now I couldn’t the experience of my universe physics give
experience of my universe physics give
experience of my universe physics give something similar but in its own way
something similar but in its own way
something similar but in its own way that’s what I want to try to give to you
that’s what I want to try to give to you
that’s what I want to try to give to you now so I’m very happy that I’ve been
now so I’m very happy that I’ve been
now so I’m very happy that I’ve been designated here a theoretical nuclear
designated here a theoretical nuclear
designated here a theoretical nuclear physicist because I find there are a
physicist because I find there are a
physicist because I find there are a number of misconceptions that persist
number of misconceptions that persist
number of misconceptions that persist when people hear this term this is not
when people hear this term this is not
when people hear this term this is not what most of us do first and foremost we
what most of us do first and foremost we
what most of us do first and foremost we are scientists which means we’re
are scientists which means we’re
are scientists which means we’re interested in unraveling how our
interested in unraveling how our
interested in unraveling how our universe works and the object of our
universe works and the object of our
universe works and the object of our focus the atomic nucleus the tiny speck
focus the atomic nucleus the tiny speck
focus the atomic nucleus the tiny speck at the center of the atom so if the atom
at the center of the atom so if the atom
at the center of the atom so if the atom we’re basketball
we’re basketball
we’re basketball nucleus grain of sand but containing all
nucleus grain of sand but containing all
nucleus grain of sand but containing all the mass of that basketball more or less
the mass of that basketball more or less
the mass of that basketball more or less it is the most complicated system in the
it is the most complicated system in the
it is the most complicated system in the quantum universe and at the same time an
quantum universe and at the same time an
quantum universe and at the same time an understanding of its impenetrable inner
understanding of its impenetrable inner
understanding of its impenetrable inner workings brings us face to face with
workings brings us face to face with
workings brings us face to face with some of nature’s greatest mysteries it’s
some of nature’s greatest mysteries it’s
some of nature’s greatest mysteries it’s our own great fugue that we as
our own great fugue that we as
our own great fugue that we as scientists want to crack but how can we
scientists want to crack but how can we
scientists want to crack but how can we well first a good news like with
well first a good news like with
well first a good news like with Beethoven we know the building blocks of
Beethoven we know the building blocks of
Beethoven we know the building blocks of the nucleus protons neutrons but where
the nucleus protons neutrons but where
the nucleus protons neutrons but where things get complicated is we don’t know
things get complicated is we don’t know
things get complicated is we don’t know exactly how the fundamental forces in
exactly how the fundamental forces in
exactly how the fundamental forces in nature of which there are four they’re
nature of which there are four they’re
nature of which there are four they’re the four voices and our fugue how they
the four voices and our fugue how they
the four voices and our fugue how they come together to give us a complete
come together to give us a complete
come together to give us a complete picture of the nucleus that we can
picture of the nucleus that we can
picture of the nucleus that we can observe if you think with me for a
observe if you think with me for a
observe if you think with me for a minute
minute
minute consider our first fundamental force in
consider our first fundamental force in
consider our first fundamental force in nature electromagnetism what this tells
nature electromagnetism what this tells
nature electromagnetism what this tells us is that if protons are positive then
us is that if protons are positive then
us is that if protons are positive then they’ll repel each other
they’ll repel each other
they’ll repel each other then if neutrons are neutral and there’s
then if neutrons are neutral and there’s
then if neutrons are neutral and there’s nothing else nuclei should be flying
nothing else nuclei should be flying
nothing else nuclei should be flying apart we and everything that we know
apart we and everything that we know
apart we and everything that we know should not exist but we’re here so that
should not exist but we’re here so that
should not exist but we’re here so that means some there’s something else
means some there’s something else
means some there’s something else something stronger holding the nucleus
something stronger holding the nucleus
something stronger holding the nucleus together and indeed there is it’s our
together and indeed there is it’s our
together and indeed there is it’s our second fundamental force of nature which
second fundamental force of nature which
second fundamental force of nature which we creatively call the strong nuclear
we creatively call the strong nuclear
we creatively call the strong nuclear force but this force turns out to be one
force but this force turns out to be one
force but this force turns out to be one of the dirtiest tricks the nature plays
of the dirtiest tricks the nature plays
of the dirtiest tricks the nature plays on us nuclear physicists because while
on us nuclear physicists because while
on us nuclear physicists because while we understand very well how it holds
we understand very well how it holds
we understand very well how it holds together the smaller particles inside of
together the smaller particles inside of
together the smaller particles inside of a proton or inside of a neutron we still
a proton or inside of a neutron we still
a proton or inside of a neutron we still can’t calculate exactly how it’s
can’t calculate exactly how it’s
can’t calculate exactly how it’s manifested between protons and neutrons
manifested between protons and neutrons
manifested between protons and neutrons themselves such as they bind together to
themselves such as they bind together to
themselves such as they bind together to form nuclei but we physicists we have
form nuclei but we physicists we have
form nuclei but we physicists we have our own tricks as well and this is
our own tricks as well and this is
our own tricks as well and this is something we can deal with but there’s
something we can deal with but there’s
something we can deal with but there’s more because we still would then need to
more because we still would then need to
more because we still would then need to confront the fact that nuclei contain
confront the fact that nuclei contain
confront the fact that nuclei contain tens literally hundreds protons and
tens literally hundreds protons and
tens literally hundreds protons and neutrons all interacting at once with
neutrons all interacting at once with
neutrons all interacting at once with this incredibly complicated force it’s
this incredibly complicated force it’s
this incredibly complicated force it’s almost impossible to imagine much less
almost impossible to imagine much less
almost impossible to imagine much less imagine we could make sense of it we
imagine we could make sense of it we
imagine we could make sense of it we simply should not be able to because
simply should not be able to because
simply should not be able to because here Nature has given us a complexity so
here Nature has given us a complexity so
here Nature has given us a complexity so staggering that it’s a beauty in itself
staggering that it’s a beauty in itself
staggering that it’s a beauty in itself but as you might think nuclei are not
but as you might think nuclei are not
but as you might think nuclei are not pure chaos because just as in
pure chaos because just as in
pure chaos because just as in Beethoven’s fugue other beauties
Beethoven’s fugue other beauties
Beethoven’s fugue other beauties structure and harmony emerge across
structure and harmony emerge across
structure and harmony emerge across thousands of nuclei a few particular
thousands of nuclei a few particular
thousands of nuclei a few particular numbers stand out where if a nucleus
numbers stand out where if a nucleus
numbers stand out where if a nucleus contains this many protons or neutrons
contains this many protons or neutrons
contains this many protons or neutrons then it exhibits properties so
then it exhibits properties so
then it exhibits properties so fundamental to our understanding of the
fundamental to our understanding of the
fundamental to our understanding of the nucleus that we call these magic numbers
nucleus that we call these magic numbers
nucleus that we call these magic numbers so it doesn’t matter what I have plotted
so it doesn’t matter what I have plotted
so it doesn’t matter what I have plotted here or produced by a very famous
here or produced by a very famous
here or produced by a very famous physicist you can see that across the
physicist you can see that across the
physicist you can see that across the thousands of points something magic
thousands of points something magic
thousands of points something magic happens
happens
happens at these seven numbers but what I’m
at these seven numbers but what I’m
at these seven numbers but what I’m showing you is textbook material because
showing you is textbook material because
showing you is textbook material because what we know now is that as laboratories
what we know now is that as laboratories
what we know now is that as laboratories across across the world begin to produce
across across the world begin to produce
across across the world begin to produce what we call exotic nuclei which exists
what we call exotic nuclei which exists
what we call exotic nuclei which exists very near the the limits of where they
very near the the limits of where they
very near the the limits of where they can exist that new magic numbers arise
can exist that new magic numbers arise
can exist that new magic numbers arise and one of our central challenges is to
and one of our central challenges is to
and one of our central challenges is to explain and predict the this new and
explain and predict the this new and
explain and predict the this new and unexpected emergence of structure from
unexpected emergence of structure from
unexpected emergence of structure from the chaos of the nucleus and again we
the chaos of the nucleus and again we
the chaos of the nucleus and again we physicists we have our tricks but it
physicists we have our tricks but it
physicists we have our tricks but it turns out nuclei keep even greater
turns out nuclei keep even greater
turns out nuclei keep even greater secrets because just as Beethoven’s
secrets because just as Beethoven’s
secrets because just as Beethoven’s fugue reaches its deepest point in those
fugue reaches its deepest point in those
fugue reaches its deepest point in those quiet passages reflecting on the
quiet passages reflecting on the
quiet passages reflecting on the ineffable through the nucleus we
ineffable through the nucleus we
ineffable through the nucleus we confront it some of the most profound
confront it some of the most profound
confront it some of the most profound unanswered questions in science nature
unanswered questions in science nature
unanswered questions in science nature there are several but there’s one in
there are several but there’s one in
there are several but there’s one in particular that connects the infinitely
particular that connects the infinitely
particular that connects the infinitely small scale of the nucleus to
small scale of the nucleus to
small scale of the nucleus to unimaginably vast structures in our
unimaginably vast structures in our
unimaginably vast structures in our universe and this is a mystery that we
universe and this is a mystery that we
universe and this is a mystery that we call dark matter so now our scope
call dark matter so now our scope
call dark matter so now our scope changes to the cosmic galaxies we all
changes to the cosmic galaxies we all
changes to the cosmic galaxies we all have some idea of what a galaxy looks
have some idea of what a galaxy looks
have some idea of what a galaxy looks like some hurricane of stars rotating
like some hurricane of stars rotating
like some hurricane of stars rotating around some central black hole held
around some central black hole held
around some central black hole held together with our third fundamental
together with our third fundamental
together with our third fundamental force in nature gravity familiar one but
force in nature gravity familiar one but
force in nature gravity familiar one but what astronomers noticed when they first
what astronomers noticed when they first
what astronomers noticed when they first started looking at the rotation of
started looking at the rotation of
started looking at the rotation of galaxies is that as you get further from
galaxies is that as you get further from
galaxies is that as you get further from the center stars are rotating impossibly
the center stars are rotating impossibly
the center stars are rotating impossibly fast that means that all the gap gravity
fast that means that all the gap gravity
fast that means that all the gap gravity from the matter that they can see in the
from the matter that they can see in the
from the matter that they can see in the galaxies is nowhere near an
galaxies is nowhere near an
galaxies is nowhere near an to hold these stars in their orbits
to hold these stars in their orbits
to hold these stars in their orbits galaxies should be flying apart but
galaxies should be flying apart but
galaxies should be flying apart but they’re not which means there must be
they’re not which means there must be
they’re not which means there must be something else and in particular if
something else and in particular if
something else and in particular if there were some uniform halo of matter
there were some uniform halo of matter
there were some uniform halo of matter that we couldn’t see engulfing a galaxy
that we couldn’t see engulfing a galaxy
that we couldn’t see engulfing a galaxy this would keep the stars in their
this would keep the stars in their
this would keep the stars in their orbits but this is only the first hint
orbits but this is only the first hint
orbits but this is only the first hint of something mysterious out there
of something mysterious out there
of something mysterious out there there’s more because what Einstein tells
there’s more because what Einstein tells
there’s more because what Einstein tells us is that any kind of concentration of
us is that any kind of concentration of
us is that any kind of concentration of matter will warp both the space and the
matter will warp both the space and the
matter will warp both the space and the time around it such that for instance
time around it such that for instance
time around it such that for instance the path of light from some more distant
the path of light from some more distant
the path of light from some more distant source will be bent as if going through
source will be bent as if going through
source will be bent as if going through a lens and from our understanding of
a lens and from our understanding of
a lens and from our understanding of this lensing effect we can map the
this lensing effect we can map the
this lensing effect we can map the distribution of matter in the sky
distribution of matter in the sky
distribution of matter in the sky whether we can see it or not and when we
whether we can see it or not and when we
whether we can see it or not and when we then point our telescopes towards some
then point our telescopes towards some
then point our telescopes towards some of the most incredibly concentrated
of the most incredibly concentrated
of the most incredibly concentrated regions of matter in the universe where
regions of matter in the universe where
regions of matter in the universe where collisions of clusters of galaxies takes
collisions of clusters of galaxies takes
collisions of clusters of galaxies takes place just think about that that happens
place just think about that that happens
place just think about that that happens that we see again something incredible
that we see again something incredible
that we see again something incredible and that is if we plot the distribution
and that is if we plot the distribution
and that is if we plot the distribution of matter that we can see with
of matter that we can see with
of matter that we can see with particular telescopes here shown in the
particular telescopes here shown in the
particular telescopes here shown in the red region or pink and contrast that
red region or pink and contrast that
red region or pink and contrast that with the distribution of matter that we
with the distribution of matter that we
with the distribution of matter that we infer from this lensing effect here
infer from this lensing effect here
infer from this lensing effect here shown in the blue they are nowhere near
shown in the blue they are nowhere near
shown in the blue they are nowhere near the same and what this appears to be
the same and what this appears to be
the same and what this appears to be telling us is that there is a far far
telling us is that there is a far far
telling us is that there is a far far greater amount of matter sitting there
greater amount of matter sitting there
greater amount of matter sitting there that we simply cannot see than the
that we simply cannot see than the
that we simply cannot see than the already tremendous amount that we know
already tremendous amount that we know
already tremendous amount that we know is there and this is what we call dark
is there and this is what we call dark
is there and this is what we call dark matter and by our best estimates there
matter and by our best estimates there
matter and by our best estimates there is five times as much dark matter in the
is five times as much dark matter in the
is five times as much dark matter in the universe then all the stars all the
universe then all the stars all the
universe then all the stars all the galaxies all – everything that we can
galaxies all – everything that we can
galaxies all – everything that we can see with our telescopes and we have no
see with our telescopes and we have no
see with our telescopes and we have no idea what it is but now it’s our fugue
idea what it is but now it’s our fugue
idea what it is but now it’s our fugue reaches its culmination all our pieces
reaches its culmination all our pieces
reaches its culmination all our pieces come together the answer might very well
come together the answer might very well
come together the answer might very well lie in the atomic nucleus because
lie in the atomic nucleus because
lie in the atomic nucleus because perhaps the best chance that we have to
perhaps the best chance that we have to
perhaps the best chance that we have to learn something about what dark matter
learn something about what dark matter
learn something about what dark matter is is if one of these elusive particles
is is if one of these elusive particles
is is if one of these elusive particles in the halo engulfing our galaxy were to
in the halo engulfing our galaxy were to
in the halo engulfing our galaxy were to interact with a nucleus
interact with a nucleus
interact with a nucleus and we were there to see it how would it
and we were there to see it how would it
and we were there to see it how would it interact well this is with our fourth
interact well this is with our fourth
interact well this is with our fourth fundamental force in nature which we
fundamental force in nature which we
fundamental force in nature which we call the weak nuclear force now you’ll
call the weak nuclear force now you’ll
call the weak nuclear force now you’ll be excused if you are unfamiliar with
be excused if you are unfamiliar with
be excused if you are unfamiliar with this because its greatest claim to fame
this because its greatest claim to fame
this because its greatest claim to fame is probably governing a particular class
is probably governing a particular class
is probably governing a particular class of nuclear decays right but it’s the
of nuclear decays right but it’s the
of nuclear decays right but it’s the only way that most of the leading
only way that most of the leading
only way that most of the leading candidates for dark matter would be able
candidates for dark matter would be able
candidates for dark matter would be able to interact with matter as we know it
to interact with matter as we know it
to interact with matter as we know it and so then we would not only have to
and so then we would not only have to
and so then we would not only have to know how this interaction takes place
know how this interaction takes place
know how this interaction takes place but how the nucleus itself would respond
but how the nucleus itself would respond
but how the nucleus itself would respond in order to interpret such an event were
in order to interpret such an event were
in order to interpret such an event were we to see it so this tiny speck at the
we to see it so this tiny speck at the
we to see it so this tiny speck at the center of the atom very well could be
center of the atom very well could be
center of the atom very well could be the key to unlocking this great cosmic
the key to unlocking this great cosmic
the key to unlocking this great cosmic mystery
mystery
mystery so it’s an overwhelming prospect but one
so it’s an overwhelming prospect but one
so it’s an overwhelming prospect but one that so far has given us no answers none
that so far has given us no answers none
that so far has given us no answers none of these events have been observed there
of these events have been observed there
of these events have been observed there might be nothing to observe at all
might be nothing to observe at all
might be nothing to observe at all because the answer might very well be
because the answer might very well be
because the answer might very well be that we don’t understand gravity well
that we don’t understand gravity well
that we don’t understand gravity well enough we don’t know but one thing is
enough we don’t know but one thing is
enough we don’t know but one thing is clear that even now our best tricks as
clear that even now our best tricks as
clear that even now our best tricks as physicists have so far fallen short on
physicists have so far fallen short on
physicists have so far fallen short on this problem and like beethoven’s our
this problem and like beethoven’s our
this problem and like beethoven’s our great fugue remains an enigma but it’s
great fugue remains an enigma but it’s
great fugue remains an enigma but it’s still one that I encourage you to
still one that I encourage you to
still one that I encourage you to explore more fully on your own so I want
explore more fully on your own so I want
explore more fully on your own so I want to end with a quote we know there’s
to end with a quote we know there’s
to end with a quote we know there’s something there but we don’t know what
something there but we don’t know what
something there but we don’t know what it is
it is
it is this isn’t me talking about dark matter
this isn’t me talking about dark matter
this isn’t me talking about dark matter two minutes ago this is a musician from
two minutes ago this is a musician from
two minutes ago this is a musician from Beethoven’s time describing the music
Beethoven’s time describing the music
Beethoven’s time describing the music that he wrote at the end of his life and
that he wrote at the end of his life and
that he wrote at the end of his life and I think it perfectly evokes both the
I think it perfectly evokes both the
I think it perfectly evokes both the spirit of potential discovery an
spirit of potential discovery an
spirit of potential discovery an emotional journey that can be had both
emotional journey that can be had both
emotional journey that can be had both in art and in physics but it’s a journey
in art and in physics but it’s a journey
in art and in physics but it’s a journey that we can only undertake if we
that we can only undertake if we
that we can only undertake if we initiate it ourselves so just as you
initiate it ourselves so just as you
initiate it ourselves so just as you approach going to a concert or an art
approach going to a concert or an art
approach going to a concert or an art gallery or even reading a book in a
gallery or even reading a book in a
gallery or even reading a book in a particular way why not take the same
particular way why not take the same
particular way why not take the same approach to physics to science to take
approach to physics to science to take
approach to physics to science to take it not as some doll or even fun
it not as some doll or even fun
it not as some doll or even fun educational experience but as an
educational experience but as an
educational experience but as an artistic emotional one there are plenty
artistic emotional one there are plenty
artistic emotional one there are plenty of opportunities public lectures events
of opportunities public lectures events
of opportunities public lectures events like this try
like this try
like this try where I work gives tours every day or
where I work gives tours every day or
where I work gives tours every day or even talked to a physicist we’re mostly
even talked to a physicist we’re mostly
even talked to a physicist we’re mostly nice there’s even a few in the audience
nice there’s even a few in the audience
nice there’s even a few in the audience you’ll probably be surprised by what we
you’ll probably be surprised by what we
you’ll probably be surprised by what we have to say and if you struggle just
have to say and if you struggle just
have to say and if you struggle just enough you too might experience that
enough you too might experience that
enough you too might experience that beautiful moment of discovery when you
beautiful moment of discovery when you
beautiful moment of discovery when you crack the art of physics and it reveals
crack the art of physics and it reveals
crack the art of physics and it reveals itself to you for the first time and in
itself to you for the first time and in
itself to you for the first time and in that very same moment you might even be
that very same moment you might even be
that very same moment you might even be surprised to discover that your next
surprised to discover that your next
surprised to discover that your next hero is a physicist
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment