The mind-bending reality of quantum mechanics - with Jim Al Khalili

What makes quantum mechanics the strangest — and most successful — theory in all of science? Physicist Jim Al-Khalili takes you through 100 years of quantum revolution, from Heisenberg's 1925 breakthrough to the technologies reshaping our world right now. This Discourse was recorded at the Ri on 7 November 2025, in partnership with the Institute of Physics. ___ Watch the Q&A session (exclusively for Science Supporter members): https://youtu.be/4Wq-zLITyxg Join this channel to access member perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join ___ In this Ri Discourse, Jim covers the full sweep of quantum mechanics — the history, the weirdness, and what's coming next: → The quantum pioneers: Planck, Einstein, Bohr, Schrödinger, Heisenberg → The EPR paradox and Einstein's "spooky action at a distance" → Bell's theorem — and the experiment that proved Einstein wrong → Quantum superposition, tunnelling, and entanglement explained → The first quantum revolution: how quantum physics built the laser, the computer and MRI → The second quantum revolution: quantum clocks, ghost imaging, quantum sensing and more → Quantum computing: what it actually is, how close we are, and what it will change ____ Jim Al-Khalili CBE FRS is a quantum physicist, author, broadcaster and science communicator. He is Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Surrey, where he continues research in quantum foundations and quantum biology. He has written fifteen books, translated into over twenty-six languages, and is best known in the UK for his BBC Radio 4 programme, The Life Scientific. ___ Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists – all from the cutting-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world. Support the Ri: https://www.rigb.org/support-us/donate-ri Editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks-and-moderating-comments Subscribe: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter The Ri is on X: http://twitter.com/ri_science Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ri_science Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ri-science-podcast ____ The United Nations has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, to celebrate the centenary of quantum mechanics and the revolutionary work of the likes of Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger. Together with the Institute of Physics, join us to celebrate the culmination of the International Year of Quantum at the penultimate Discourse of our Discover200 year. ____ Chapters: 0:00 The Theory That Changed Everything 3:00 The Quantum Pioneers 13:18 Einstein's Battle with Quantum Mechanics 27:00 The Experiment That Proved Einstein Wrong 31:22 Why Quantum Mechanics Is So Weird 40:58 How Quantum Mechanics Built the Modern World 53:51 Quantum Computing: How Close Are We? ____ Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link. ____ #QuantumMechanics, #JimAlKhalili, #MindBendingScience, #QuantumReality, #PhysicsExplained #QuantumPhysics #QuantumComputing #QuantumEntanglement #Physics #Science