In Our Time: 25 Concepts and Theories in the History of Physics

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the history of physics through its most important ideas and hypotheses'In Our Time is in a class of its own' New York TimesEclectic, erudite and entertaining, In Our Time is one of Radio 4's most successful programmes, regularly attracting an audience of over 2 million for its discussions on every subject under the sun: from oceanography to Ovid.In this special themed collection, Melvyn Bragg is joined by guest experts including Simon Schaffer, John Gribbin, Jim Al-Khalili and Sir Martin Rees to discuss 25 of the key laws, principles and problems of physics. Here are examinations of major concepts including plasma, radiation, matter and antimatter and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, as well as discourses on historical theories such as Zeno's paradoxes, the speed of light and relativity. Also featured are analyses of modern developments in physics, including the discovery and growing understanding of the proton, neutron and electron, the controversial breakthrough of nuclear technology, and the search for the holy grail of 20th century physics: the Grand Unified Theory.Physicists, students of science and knowledge seekers will savour these wide-ranging, comprehensive and accessible discussions, which serve as a springboard to dive deeper into the fascinating fundamental principles that govern our universe.Production creditsPresented by Melvyn BraggProduced by Thomas Morris and Simon TillotsonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:Part I: Major ConceptsStates of Matter 3 April 2014Heat 4 December 2008Absolute Zero 7 March 2013The Second Law of Thermodynamics 16 December 2004Plasma 13 October 2016Magnetism 29 September 2005Radiation 12 November 2009The Physics of Time 18 December 2008Quantum Gravity 22 February 2001Antimatter 4 October 2007The Graviton 24 November 2005Optics 1 March 2007With Simon Schaffer, Jim Bennett and Emily WinterburnPart II: Historical TheoriesZeno's Paradoxes 22 September 2016The Speed of Light 30 November 2006The Laws of Motion 3 April 2008Kinetic Theory 23 May 2019Relativity 6 June 2013The Physics of Reality 2 May 2002Part III: Modern physicsGrand Unified Theory 24 February 2000The Electron 29 September 2022Nuclear Physics 10 January 2002Cosmic Rays 16 May 2013The Proton 26 April 2018The Neutron 14 April 2016The Neutrino 14 April 2011(c) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.