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cover of episode ‘Dark matter’, 'Big Bang' and ‘spin’: how physics terms can confuse researchers

‘Dark matter’, 'Big Bang' and ‘spin’: how physics terms can confuse researchers

2025/4/22
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Nature Podcast
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
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C
Chanda Prescott-Weinstein
G
George Ellis
I
Ian Durham
Z
Zia Merali
Topics
Zia Merali: 物理学中的命名至关重要，因为所有的研究都需要用语言表达。然而，语言既能澄清思想，也能造成误解。一些常用的物理学名词，例如"大爆炸"、"暗物质"、"暗能量"和"自旋"，其含义并不明确，甚至可能存在误导性，导致研究人员沿着错误的方向前进。不同背景的研究人员对同一术语的理解可能存在差异，这会造成沟通障碍。 George Ellis: "大爆炸"一词的含义随着时间的推移而改变，它最初并非旨在帮助科学家和公众理解宇宙起源，而是源于科学竞争，甚至带有嘲讽意味。宇宙并非静态的，而是膨胀的，这使得经典宇宙模型必须包含一个开端。 Chanda Prescott-Weinstein: "大爆炸"一词在宇宙学中的使用存在歧义，不同领域的研究人员对它的理解可能存在差异。"暗物质"一词可能误导了研究人员，让他们去寻找可能并不存在的物质。"暗能量"一词最初只是一个占位符，用来描述宇宙加速膨胀的未知来源。"暗物质"一词在不同文化背景下可能具有不同的含义，这可能会导致误解和排斥。科学术语的选择可能会影响公众的理解，甚至被滥用在营销和广告中。 Ian Durham: 物理学家有时需要创造新的术语来描述极其复杂的现象，这些术语可能与物理或数学本身没有直接关系。"量子"一词在英语中被滥用，其含义不应仅限于微小的东西。"自旋"一词用来描述亚原子粒子的内禀量子属性，但实际上电子并不旋转。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The term 'Big Bang' has evolved over time and is used differently among scientists. It may refer to the moment the universe came into existence or to the hot dense state in the universe's infancy. This ambiguity causes confusion and miscommunication. Despite its imprecise meaning, the term 'Big Bang' has become widely accepted and effective in communicating a key concept.
  • The term 'Big Bang' was initially coined as a derogatory term by Fred Hoyle.
  • The meaning of 'Big Bang' has shifted over time, referring to both the universe's beginning and a later hot dense state.
  • Ambiguity in terminology leads to confusion among scientists from different disciplines.

Shownotes Transcript

Categorizing things is central to science. And there are dozens of systems scientists have created to name everything from the trenches on the sea bed to the stars in the sky.

But names have consequences. What’s in a name is a series exploring naming in science and how names impact the world. We look at whether the system of naming species remains in step with society, how the names of diseases can create stigma, and how the names chosen by scientists can help, or hinder, communication with the public.

In episode three, we're looking at how the names chosen for concepts in physics can inadvertently send researchers down very specific research avenues while distracting them from others. In this podcast we hear five stories about the importance of names and how much can be lost in translation when physicists try and label the unknown.

For a list of sources and music used, please visit the podcast show notes)

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