The Secrets of Quantum Physics
| The Secrets of Quantum Physics | |
|---|---|
| Genre |
Quantum Mechanics Quantum Biology |
| Directed by |
Tim Usborne Kenny Scott |
| Presented by | Jim Al-Khalili |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Paul Sen |
| Producer(s) |
Tim Usborne Kenny Scott |
| Running time | 55 minutes |
| Production company(s) | BBC |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Four |
| Picture format | 16:9 1080i |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 9 December – 16 December 2014 |
| External links | |
| Website |
www |
The Secrets of Quantum Physics is a two-part British television series outlining the theories of quantum mechanics and quantum biology, described as "a brilliant guide" to a "jaw-dropping world".[1]
Episodes
Episode One: Einstein's Nightmare
This episode traces a path from the 1800s through the jazz age to the hippy era,[2] highlighting the insights into light which illuminated the true nature of reality, the conflicts with the ideas of Albert Einstein and recreating the test to resolve this conflict devised by John Bell in the 1960s.[3] The episode is illustrated with vaudevillian analogies, including playing cards with the Devil, demonstrating the thematic relations to Lewis Carroll.[2]
Episode Two: Let There Be Life
This episode ponders the possibility that quantum physics explains some biological mysteries,[4] including the use of quantum entanglement for navigation by the European robin, the use of quantum vibrations for smell by humans, and the part played by the Uncertainty Principle in evolution.[5] The episode gives a novel spin on the subject,[5] illustrated with floating balls in the style of The Prisoner.[5]
Reception
Julia Raeside, writing in The Guardian, states that while Al-Khalili started gently with innocuous chat he soon went headlong down a rabbit hole of true scientific bewilderment, creating a bona fide head-breaker from start to sensational finish.[1] Gary Rose, writing in the RadioTimes notes that Al-Khalili, who touched on the topic in his earlier series Atom, takes the subject to a deeper level.[3]
Al-Khalili, who, according to Raeside, is emphatic and engaging, performed low-fi demonstrations with simple props, such as coins, gloves and cocktail paraphernalia,[1] to explain, according to Rose, mind-melting concepts as clearly as anyone.[3]
Andrew Mueller, also writing in The Guardian, concludes that the series does what all good science journalism does, prompt the viewer to look at the world with a different and renewed appreciation,[4]
References
- 1 2 3 Raeside, Julia (10 December 2014). "The Secrets of Quantum Physics – review: down the rabbit-hole of true scientific bewilderment". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- 1 2 Catterall, Ali (9 December 2014). "Tuesday’s best TV: The Secrets of Quantum Physics". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- 1 2 3 Rose, Gary. "The Secrets of Quantum Physics: S1-E1 Einstein's Nightmare". RadioTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- 1 2 Mueller, Andrew (16 December 2014). "Tuesday’s best TV: The Secrets of Quantum Physics". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- 1 2 3 Rose, Gary. "The Secrets of Quantum Physics: S1-E2 Let There Be Life". RadioTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2017.