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PBS Space Time

How Luminiferous Aether Led to Relativity

Season 6 Episode 15 | 13m 52s

As the 19th century came to a close, physicists were feeling pretty satisfied with the state of their science. The great edifice of physical theory seemed complete. A few minor experiments remained to verify everything. Little did those physicists know that one of those experiments would bring the entire structure crashing down paving the way for the physics revolution of the 20th century.

Aired: 05/10/20
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Watch • 16:26
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Watch • 18:33
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Episode: S11 E19 | 18:42
Watch • 25:02
PBS Space Time
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2025 was the international year of quantum science, but today we examine its origins.
Episode: S11 E18 | 25:02
Watch • 21:17
PBS Space Time
Do We Live in the Rarest Solar System In The Universe? We're about to find out!
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Watch • 21:31
PBS Space Time
The Gravity Particle Should Exist. So Where Is It?
What is the graviton, and does it even exist?
Episode: S11 E16 | 21:31
Watch • 23:22
PBS Space Time
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Does quantum mechanics allow the future to retroactively influence the past or not?
Episode: S11 E14 | 23:22
Watch • 19:52
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