TED: The sound the universe makes | Janna Levin

The video explores how most of our knowledge about the universe comes from light, and introduces the idea that the universe has a soundtrack, played by space itself. It delves into Einstein's theories on space and black holes, explaining how black holes can be detected through their gravitational waves. The video discusses the potential to hear cosmic sounds, such as those from black hole mergers and the Big Bang, through advanced experiments like LIGO and Lisa. It concludes by pondering the existence of a multiverse and the possibility of other creatures wondering about their origins.

What is the primary source of our knowledge about the universe?

• Magnetic fields

• Light

• Sound waves

• Gravitational waves

How do black holes affect their surroundings?

• They emit light

• They create magnetic fields

• They produce sound waves

• They destroy stars and churn up debris

Who first realized the concept of space curving due to mass?

• Galileo Galilei

• Karl Schwarzschild

• Albert Einstein

• Isaac Newton

What happens to light when it gets too close to a black hole?

• It gets trapped

• It speeds up

• It escapes

• It changes color

What is a common misconception about black holes?

• They are visible

• They devour everything

• They emit sound

• They are cold

What are gravitational waves?

• Magnetic waves

• Ripples in spacetime

• Sound waves

• Light waves

What is the purpose of the LIGO experiment?

• To observe black holes directly

• To detect light from stars

• To measure magnetic fields

• To detect gravitational waves

What is the Big Bang often described as?

• A silent event

• A gentle hum

• A chaotic noise

• A bright flash

What is one theory about the nature of our universe?

• It is the only universe

• It is a part of a multiverse

• It is shrinking

• It is static

What might other universes in a multiverse contain?

• The same galaxies

• No black holes

• Identical stars

• Different laws of physics