Origins of the Laws of Nature - Peter Atkins

Explore the fundamental laws of nature and their origins in this thought-provoking lecture by Peter Atkins at The Royal Institution. Delve into concepts such as thermodynamics, the speed of light, and conservation of energy as Atkins argues that the complexity of the universe arose from very little, or possibly nothing at all. Examine the building blocks of the universe, including the three principles, properties of absolute nothingness, and the concept of anarchy. Investigate quantum mechanics, gauge theory, and the Schrödinger equation, and learn how these relate to the fundamental laws governing our universe. Discover the Boltzmann distribution and explore why processes tend towards disorder. Gain insights into the origins of uniformity, energy, and the conservation of energy. This 49-minute talk offers a fascinating journey through the foundations of physics and cosmology, challenging viewers to reconsider their understanding of the universe's fundamental principles.

Introduction
Origin of Laws
Three Principles
Origin of the Universe
Properties of Absolutely Nothing
The Conservation of Energy
Uniformity
Energy
Anarchy
Paths
Neighbors
Quantum Mechanics
Gauge Theory
Gauge Invariants
Schrodinger Equation
Boltzmann Distribution
Processes
Things Get Worse
Summary