Why Beauty is Truth - A short history of symmetry

In this episode Professor Ian Stewart explores the connections between symmetry, particle physics, string and superstring theory.

Professor Ian Stewart looks at the world of Quantum Mechanics and how symmetry informs our understanding of particles and waves.

Professor Ian Stewart shows how the mathematicians work on symmetry and group theory influenced the work of physicists and how Einstein’s work revolutionised our view of the symmetries of the universe around us.

Professor Ian Stewart talks about the life of Evariste Galois – the failed revolutionary who developed Group Theory and changed the way we think about mathematics, physics and the world around us.

In this episode Professor Ian Stewart describes how the scandalous world of competitive mathematics in renaissance Italy encouraged the development of our understanding of equations, algebra and laid the foundations for our modern understanding of symmetry.