Quantum Fields: The Real Building Blocks of the Universe - with David Tong

According to our best theories of physics, the fundamental building blocks of matter are not particles, but continuous fluid-like substances known as 'quantum fields'. David Tong explains what we know about these fields, and how they fit into our understanding of the Universe.

David Tong is a professor of theoretical physics at Cambridge University, specialising in quantum field theory.

[TheRoyalInstitution]

Thanks to our community, we now have Galician subtitles for this video!

[d.c.gottardo]

Ri please, give this man another chance to talk more about others subjects. This lecture was amazing.

[ishantishant]

This man speaks with such an enthusiasm that he doesn't seem to be a theoretical seems like the student whose mind is still wandering with questions and doubts on the concepts of physics way he speaks is really amazing and the thing he did with the magnets in the middle of the lecture was something we all did in our childhood and he still has that energy and curiosity about something is really deeply hidden.

[hosseynshanbehzaadeh]

How I, a student of Persian literature living in Iran, was fascinated by this guy's lecture. I'm truly astonished that I actually understood most parts of this, and really, really enjoyed it. Lots of love from Iran. Thank you sir. You truly deserve Faraday's throne. ❤️

[rosemars]

I planned to only watch the first 10 min or so but got hooked throughout the end of the talk. What a nice a clear introduction of the topic by telling and combining all small, meaningful stories together. Just one of the best lectures I can think

[Ambienfinity]

I watch a lot of physics and cosmology lectures, and this is one of the best I've ever seen. David's enthusiasm and knowledge are brilliant.

[MathAdam]

13:01 "It doesn't matter how old you are, or how many degrees in physics you have, there's something magical about this." Great science requires a childlike curiosity.

[iumiforgot]

This has got to be the MOST concise explanation I have ever heard of such a convoluted subject

[Jiminio]

The best 1 hour i had on YouTube. I studied mathematics and finance but my big love is physics. That session has broaden my horizons toward my big love. It made my whole understanding of the subject solid and explained a lot of issues that I had on my mind toward it. Physics is the past the present and the future. Thank you sir

[vancouverterry]

what a great teacher! Men like Professor Tong can lift up an age! And to have Royal Institution lectures by such brilliant individuals available free online is really the height of civilization.

[wmblemania]

There is something magnificent, magical, haunting about seeing someone deliver a lecture at the same desk as Faraday. Between Faraday and now, there have been tens of millions of deaths in war, the Holocaust, untold suffering. But there is also an unbroken chain of scientific discovery.

[ergbudster]

This proves what I've always believed strongly since university: that a really smart person can explain things. A smart person who really understands things can explain things. And even the things that can't be explained can be made tantalizing and invite us to learn more. Wonderful lecture. Well, as so many are on the RI channel.

[vickylee]

I wish I got a physics teacher like Prof. Tong when I was young, he motivated me to study Physics in this one-hour lecture ! Thx Professor !

[tomneedham]

I have a "working knowledge" of theoretical physics from my undergraduate years of long, long ago.  This lecture is the VERY BEST lecture I have ever listened to explaining, in simplistic terms, what the current, cutting edge frontier pf physics is all about.
Thank you Prof. Tong. Great job!!

[letbe]

Absolutely brilliant lecture - exactly what I was looking for! The shine in the lector's eyes and his enthusiasm clearly shows that he adores his job and physics! Thanks for this generous contribution to the spreading of knowledge :) I can only imagine how many young minds will get excited watching this, most certainly it will influence path of some people :)

[stephenh.litman]

This is the first lecture to really turn my head around on physics. There have been many more since, but this is the one that started it all for me. So, of course, I completely recommend it. Thank you to David Tong, and to those at the Royal Institution and Youtube who make lectures like this available.

[young]

When I took physics as a senior in college in 1963 I became quite fascinated about quantum physics. I knew I didn't have the math skills to handle it. I blamed my 5th grade teacher in a one room school who had me try to solve a math problem in front of everyone, then ridiculed me when I failed. I stayed with the biological sciences instead. Although this lecture was outstanding, it made me realize I probably should thank that teacher. Quantum physics is still way beyond what I could hope to understand, but this lecture comes as close as I have ever been. 👍👍👍

[tomclark]

This is about as clear an explanation of the subject matter as one could hope for a non-scientist like myself. Thank you David Tong.

[IngVasiu]

Personally, I'm going to consider this video as the best lecture I've ever seen.

[pixxelwizzard]

Probably one of the best presentations I've ever seen on such a complicated subject. David Tong is an excellent presenter, enjoyed every minute of this discourse.