The Evidence for Modern Physics

How We Know What We Know

By: Professor Don Lincoln, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Professor Don Lincoln

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

How do we know the universe is 13.8 billion years old? How do we know the speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second? How do we know there are subatomic particles that live less than a trillionth of a trillionth of a second? Studying how physicists make discoveries is the best way to understand key developments in modern physics - from quantum mechanics, to the theory of relativity, to cosmology.

In this 24-lesson course aimed at non-scientists, noted particle physicist Dr. Don Lincoln of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory covers more than a century of progress in physics, describing exactly how scientists reach the conclusions they do. He starts with the atom, which was long hypothesized, but wasn’t definitively proven until a paper by Albert Einstein in 1905. That was just the beginning, as researchers probed ever deeper into the atom’s complex structure, leading to the weird findings of quantum mechanics. Meanwhile, Einstein’s more famous work in relativity overturned conceptions of time and space, especially in the realm of the super-fast and ultra-massive.

Relativity and quantum theory are notoriously counterintuitive, but Dr. Lincoln shows why their conclusions must be true. He does the same for cosmology, which has advanced from the view that the Milky Way galaxy is all that exists, to the realization that there are likely a trillion of galaxies in the observable universe. Along the way, he deals with the Big Bang, black holes, dark matter, dark energy, and cosmic inflation, among other ideas. Some are purely speculative, but he points out what it would take to prove them.

The Evidence for Modern Physics is an intellectual roller-coaster ride that will amaze and enlighten. As Dr. Lincoln says, “You must wonder how we can say with such certainty that the world of the super-fast and ultra-small follow such bizarre rules. Well, you’re in luck, because that’s exactly what this course is about.”

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 The Great Courses (P)2021 The Teaching Company, LLC

wonderful educator

Dr. Lincoln does a great job of breaking down complex concepts into understandable bits. Just the facts, man.

Fun physics and cosmology

Professor Don Lincoln is an exceptionally entertaining teacher, with a remarkable gift for making esoteric aspects of physics and cosmology accessible to the non-professional. A delightful course!

Excellent and all regards.

Professor Lincoln did an exceptional job answering the numerous questions that I’ve had unanswered in physics. His style is interesting and comfortable I recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

Great course

I really enjoyed this course as presented by Professor Don Lincoln. Great stories of discovery from the past to modern times.

Entertaining and educational!

One of the best great courses! So entertaining and yet so mind blowing! Makes modern physics fun to learn.

it sparked an interest in physics I've bever had

the intro and outro has only emphasized the thriller-mysrery vibe of this course, an extremely engaging listen

Great listlin

Is this an excellent course that covers a wide variety of topics and gives you a very good understanding of the basics of modern physics for the non-scientist?

This course gives what it proposes.

I really enjoyed this course, some of the topics requests more details, math, but Dr. Don was able to explain using very good analogies .

Amazing

Simple, Profound way for taking complex topics for beginner level, the companion book is very helpful, the author and narrator put great effort to keep the pace and connect the concepts for better understanding

Food for the wild imagination

The Evidence is great work. This review is given on effort, passion, and comprehensiveness. Too much remains unanswered. The 'go-to' deemed as a great redeeming quality in science, namely that when science faces a blatant error it is ready to own it, leaves behind it a wild ripple effect, not easily recovered from. Confidence is shattered.