The Evidence for Modern Physics: How We Know What We Know Season 1 Episode 15 The Awesome Evidence for General Relativity

As humans, we intuitively understand gravity- the force that pulls us towards the earth's core. But what exactly is gravity and how does it work? This episode of The Evidence for Modern Physics: How We Know What We Know- titled "The Awesome Evidence for General Relativity" delves deep into the famous equation E=mc², posited by one of the most famous scientists of all time, Albert Einstein.

General relativity, a theory that Einstein put forward over a hundred years ago, has been used to explain not just the impact of gravity but a slew of other phenomena that we observe in our universe. But how do we know that this theory is true? Enter gravitational waves.

First predicted by Einstein's work in relativity, gravitational waves are unfathomably small ripples in the fabric of spacetime that occur when massive objects in our universe move. In this episode, the show's host, a renowned physicist, explains how this subatomic particle came to be discovered and observed, marking a turning point in our understanding of gravity and the universe at large.

The episode features exciting visuals, bringing to life the concept of a black hole so that viewers can intimately understand the nature of spacetime. We also get a sneak peek into the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which is dedicated to discovering and observing gravitational waves. They recently captured the sounds of two black holes colliding, providing evidence of the existence of gravitational waves and giving credence to the predictions made by Einstein decades ago.

The show's host also dives deep into the complexities of the gravitational wave detector, describing the painstaking process that scientists must undergo to ensure that these tiny ripples are detected and observed. They also speak with scientists that work with LIGO to get a sense of what it is like being on the frontier of modern physics, providing context to the viewer of how science really works in action.

Finally, the episode offers a glimpse of what could follow with the discovery of gravitational waves. Witness as the show's host discuss how this could help us glean knowledge on subjects as diverse as the creation of the universe to understanding mysterious, dark matter.

Through this episode of The Evidence for Modern Physics: How We Know What We Know, viewers gain insight into how the scientific method and our understanding of the universe has evolved over time. By exploring the discovery of gravitational waves- a key proof of Einstein's theory of general relativity- we not only get to see what's currently happening in the scientific community, but also what the future of physics, and of humanity itself, may entail.