Why Physics Can't Predict When Particles Decay

In this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice speak with physicist Brian Cox about the fundamentally probabilistic nature of reality. The discussion explores why particles decay at random times, how quantum mechanics embeds probability into nature itself, how the weak nuclear force drives particle decay, and how relativity alters decay rates at high speeds. The conversation then expands into deep limits of measurement, explaining the Planck length, why probing smaller scales creates black holes, and how this reveals a fundamental boundary to observing spacetime itself. From 'Are We The Universe’s Way of Knowing Itself? With Brian Cox':    • Are We The Universe’s Way of Knowing Itsel...   Get the StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon:   / startalkradio   FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter:   / startalkradio   Facebook:   / startalk   Instagram:   / startalk   TikTok:   / neildegrassetyson