In the vast field of cosmology, topological defects emerge as silent witnesses of the first fractions of seconds of the primordial universe. These unique structures, often stable, would have formed during cosmic phase transitions, crucial moments when the universe saw its fundamental symmetries break. These breaks left behind singular configurations of matter and energy, which, … Read more
In short: Contemporary cosmology, at the crossroads of theoretical advances and astrophysical observations, develops models where our universe, far from being unique, could coexist with a multitude of others. These cosmological theories of the multiverse, fueled by quantum physics and string theory, open a groundbreaking perspective: instead of an isolated Big Bang, the emergence of … Read more
Black holes embody one of the deepest mysteries of the universe, revealing both the extreme power of gravity and the limits of current physics. These celestial objects, formed from the collapse of massive stars, concentrate an incredible mass into an infinitely small space. As a result, they become natural laboratories where quantum gravity and quantum … Read more
Magnetic monopoles are among the most fascinating enigmas of modern physics, captivating both astrophysicists and particle physics theorists. At the heart of contemporary cosmology, these hypothetical particles dissociate classical magnetic duality by postulating the existence of objects carrying a unique magnetic pole, as opposed to the familiar dipoles of conventional physics. Their discovery would transform … Read more
IN BRIEF Cosmological Model: Mathematical description of the history of the Universe. Friedmann Equations: Foundation of modern cosmological models. Cosmology: Study of the structures and evolution of the Universe. Quantum Physics: Basis of particle and matter theories. Hubble Constant: Measurement of the expansion of the Universe. Differential and Integral Calculus: Key mathematical tools in celestial … Read more
IN BRIEF String theory: fundamental theoretical framework in physics. The fundamental objects are vibrating strings. Elementary particles correspond to the different vibrations of the strings. Famous for its ambition to be the “theory of everything”, unifying the forces of nature. Involves 11 dimensions in certain formulations. A necessary popularization to make science accessible. Exploration of … Read more
IN BRIEF Theory of Everything: quest for unification of fundamental interactions. Bringing together general relativity and quantum mechanics: a major challenge of modern physics. History: the search for a unitary theory initiated by giants like Einstein. Four forces of nature: ultimate goal of physics. Contemporary theories: at the forefront are string theory and unified fields. … Read more
IN BRIEF Hidden dimensions in the Universe: concepts and theories. Mechanism to confer mass to neutrinos. Physics of particles confined on surfaces called branes. Exploration of hidden variables in quantum physics. Kaluza-Klein theory and additional dimensions. Search for particles of the standard model and the graviton. Links with concepts of multiverse and time travel. Attempts … Read more
IN BRIEF Definition: A thought experiment is a hypothetical method used to explore complex concepts in theoretical physics. Steps: Includes the formulation of hypotheses, the description of imaginary situations, and the analysis of results. Usefulness: Helps to clarify theories, illustrate physical principles, and challenge preconceived ideas. Famous examples: include Galileo’s experiments on falling bodies and … Read more
IN BRIEF Two approaches in physics: Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics Classical Mechanics: motion of macroscopic bodies (laws of Newton) Quantum Mechanics: study of subatomic particles and their behaviors. Importance of energy quantization in quantum mechanics. Orbitals: description of the electron cloud and probability of a particle’s presence. Convergence between the two mechanics at specific … Read more