PBS Space Time Season 2017 Episode 21 Anti-Matter and Quantum Relativity
- June 21, 2017
PBS Space Time is an ongoing series that explores the mysteries of space, time, and the universe. Season 2017 is filled with a wealth of episodes that dive deep into some of the most interesting and mind-boggling concepts in physics, ranging from black holes and gravitational waves to dark matter and dark energy. Episode 21, titled "Anti-Matter and Quantum Relativity," is a particularly fascinating installment that brings together two seemingly disparate areas of physics in a way that sheds new light on the nature of the universe.
The episode begins with a discussion of quantum mechanics, which is the field of physics that governs the behavior of particles at the subatomic level. One of the key principles of quantum mechanics is that particles can exist in multiple states or locations at the same time, a phenomenon known as superposition. Another important concept is entanglement, which occurs when two particles become connected in such a way that their properties become dependent on each other.
The show then moves on to discuss the concept of antimatter, which is essentially the opposite of matter. When matter and antimatter come into contact, they annihilate each other, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. This principle is used in modern medicine to create PET scans, which can detect areas of the body that are high in metabolic activity.
The connection between quantum mechanics and antimatter comes from the fact that antimatter particles behave in the opposite way as their matter counterparts. For example, an electron has a negative charge, while its antimatter counterpart, the positron, has a positive charge. This means that if matter particles can exist in superposition states, antimatter particles should be able to as well. The idea of creating antimatter superpositions is still purely theoretical, but it is an intriguing concept that could have major implications for the study of fundamental physics.
The show then turns to the topic of general relativity, which is the theory of gravity that was developed by Albert Einstein. According to general relativity, gravity is not a force that is transmitted between objects, but rather a manifestation of the curvature of spacetime. This means that when massive objects like stars or planets are present, they cause a distortion in the fabric of spacetime that other objects move through.
One of the predictions of general relativity is that time and space are intimately tied together, a concept known as spacetime. This means that the passage of time can be affected by the gravitational field of a massive object. The idea of spacetime also leads to the prediction of black holes, which are objects with such strong gravitational fields that they cause spacetime to warp to the point where nothing, not even light, can escape.
The connection between antimatter and general relativity comes from the fact that some researchers believe that antimatter could behave differently in the presence of a strong gravitational field. If this is true, it could have major implications for the behavior of antimatter in the universe, as well as our understanding of gravity.
Overall, "Anti-Matter and Quantum Relativity" is a fascinating episode of PBS Space Time that brings together two seemingly disparate areas of physics in a way that sheds new light on the nature of the universe. The episode is packed with information and insights that are sure to engage even the most casual fan of science. Whether you're interested in quantum mechanics, general relativity, or just the mysteries of the universe, this episode is not to be missed.
