Podcast: thought experiments in physics

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© 2025 Magdalena Kersting Licensed under CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What if thought itself could be a laboratory? In my latest podcast episode with the wonderful team from Sag mal du als Physiker, we explore how simple "what if" questions have revolutionised physics – sometimes more profoundly than elaborate experiments.

From Einstein's falling elevator to Schrödinger's simultaneously alive-and-dead cat, thought experiments have been powerful tools for physicists to test the boundaries of our understanding. I had so much fun researching for this episode and falling down rabbit holes of thought experiments that have literally changed the course of physics.

During our conversation, we discussed how simple mental scenarios can challenge our fundamental assumptions and shape how we think about the universe.

Give the episode a listen (in German) and let me know your favourite thought experiment 💫