Gravitation and Quantum Mechanics: the biggest crisis in modern physics?
Abstract:
One of the major challenges of contemporary physics is to
reconcile Einstein theory of gravity with quantum mechanics. These two
pillars of modern physis, which have a wealth of experimental support, are
incompatible in their current formulations. The lecture will illustrate the
revolutionary concepts underlying these two theories, as well as the origin
of their conflict and the current attempts to build a consistent synthesis
of them (among which string theory remains one of the most promising
candidates). The idea of "symmetry" will be explained and its importance
will be particularly stressed in the pursuit of that goal.
Venue:
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften
Theatersaal
Sonnenfelsgasse 19, 1010 Vienna