Cosmic Queries – Quantum Catastrophe with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Brian Cox

What is the black hole information paradox? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the Higgs Boson, quantum entanglement, and black holes with particle physicist Brian Cox.

Is mass actually a property of matter? Find out about matter’s interactions with the Higgs Field, the ATLAS Experiment at CERN, and what would happen if the Higgs Field malfunctioned. Discover the quantum field: What would it look like in the early universe? What would happen if light had mass?

If nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, how does the universe’s expansion travel faster? Or entangled particles? Learn about the speed of information and how quantum entanglement works. Could you send a signal across the universe using entanglement? Find out about wormholes, quantum computing, and using entanglement for encryption.

We explore the black hole information paradox and the entanglement within a black hole. What happens when a black hole evaporates? Are there wormholes? We discuss the work behind finding fundamental problems in the universe and what physicists do when they’re wrong. How small is a Planck length? All that, plus, we learn that sometimes… Math is hard!

Thanks to our Patrons Detlef Van de Wal, Devon Gogel, Jay Salmon, Jacek Kono, Jordan Hume, Brynjar, M J, and Yoni Liberman for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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0:00 - Introduction
4:38 - ATLAS Experiments
6:32 - Higgs Field
18:15 - Faster Than Light
22:54 - Quantum Entanglement
32:06 - Black Hole Information Problem
39:11 - Intellectual Disputes
44:24 - Planck Lengths
47:55 - How Much Information Can A Black Hole Store?
48:12 - Closing Notes

[StarTalk]

Which fact about the universe blew your mind when you heard it?

[paulolima]

I love how amazingly humble and polite Brian is.

[alexanderyakubik]

I love how Neil fully acknowledged that the conversation may be somewhat beyond his scope so Brian is there to help fill in the blanks. That is why I love the scientific community, everyone knows that everyone doesn't know everything, but everyone knows something in varying degrees.

[ctjdo]

LOVE THIS EPISODE! Neil is the ambassador between Chuck's humor layman polarisation vs Brian's more humble and serious consults and contributions as the guest. My 2 favs and Chuck right in the middle. This episode's half-life will never decay!

[sapelesteve]

That was a great episode Neil, Chuck & Brian! As always, Brian is a terrific guest and one of my favorites! 👍👍👏👏

[sylv_ain]

Same as Neil, The best description I’ve heard for describing the Higgs field and the Higgs boson was from Étienne Klein. Just imagine you’re a person in an event. You (a particule) try to leave and everytime you ran into people you know, you exchange small talk with them (Higgs boson) It will slow you down and it will take you more time to leave the place. From an outside observer you will look like you’re moving slowly in the environment, thus looking like you’re more massive than anybody else. Every person (particle) Interact differently with the crowd (field) depending of their own property (number of friends, shyness, small talk skills, etc..)

[crawkn]

"[D]on't be afraid not to know what... people are talking about, because you might end up asking a brilliant question!" I hope you will preserve this brilliant quote of Chuck's, it is the best advice I've heard for novices and career scientists alike.

[lostonwallace]

Brian is amazing! Bring him back as soon as is possible!

[VonKraut]

Love the episodes with Brian, such a great guest!

[smilingguy]

I wish they would let there guest complete a comment or answer a question before making a joke. I watched to hear Brian’s views and learn but they constantly interrupt his explanations.

[jarkmodels]

Always a pleasure to watch this entangled pair. MIND-BLOWING

[tpof]

Thank you for bringing science out to the average Joe's. There's not enough aspiring scientists in our society nowadays, thank you for inspiring so many people.

[papajake]

Quantum entanglement blows my mind…like it’s straight up magic

[apathinthedust]

I would love a two-hour length episode of these three plus Janna Levin. Please make it happen!

[JohnDonkin]

I'm sorry, as much as I love Neil and chuck but the way they keep interrupting their guests really infuriates me, so rude and really diverts what their guests are saying and takes away from what they are saying

[dhruvpatel.]

At 04:26, Neil saying 'Brian and I are just trying to bring the Universe down to earth' is what makes this Cosmic queries, a great treat to watch, understand, and learn!! #KeepUpStarTalk

[johnliljeborg]

Neil and Brian are my favourite combo!
Let's geek it out❤️
I love you guys❤️❤️❤️

[jarekandrzej]

I wish they would allow Brian to speak without interruptions !!!

[mailchrisvv]

You three have fantastic chemistry. I spent the greater part of the episode both intrigued and smiling and now my face muscles hurt. Please dont ever stop doing episodes!

[-_-]

Brian has the potential to be remembered as one of the world's greatest poet proselytizers of any discipline. We wonder what his future holds.