Carlo Rovelli is a theoretical physicist from Italy. He has worked in France and the United States, and his books about physics and physicists have been read by millions of people around the world.
Exercise 1
Watch the first 11 minutes and 30 seconds of Carlo Rovelli’s talk. As you watch, answer the questions below. It might be wise to quickly read through all the questions before you start. You may wish to use a paper and pen to make notes.
1. Which 17th-century scientist does Carlo say gave us an “extraordinary tool for dealing with reality”?
2. Describe Newton’s idea of space.
3. What did Newton state was the only thing that could move particles?
4. In the centuries after Newton, what happened to Newton’s picture of reality?
5. The discovery of which field(s) changed Newton’s picture of reality?
6. Carlo refers to some of its “slower” vibrations. Which does he mention, and what do we use these for?
7. Which new field did Einstein discover?
8. What was important about Einstein’s understanding of this field?
Exercise 3
Now watch the rest of Carlo Rovelli’s talk, from 11:30 onwards. As you watch, answer the questions below.
1. What is a quantum object?
2. What does quantum mechanics say about fields?
3. What does Rovelli compare this to?
4. What does Rovelli’s own theory about spacetime suggest?
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