Talks and shows

On the arrow of time: Shaping our universe

Explore entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, and how they connect physics to probability.

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Join distinguished physicist David Jamieson as he reveals his insight into the arrow of time.

One of the most enigmatic concepts of our Universe, it suggests that time is unidirectional and points from the past into the future. However, this outlook has puzzled scientists for centuries and has been the fuel for many a fierce debate.

In this talk, David will explore the often-misunderstood concept of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics that distinguishes the past from the future. He will shed light on how these fundamental principles connect the laws of physics to the laws of probability and help you discover how we can locally create order from disorder – in apparent defiance of the second law.

He will demonstrate how the orderly process of life exploits the flow of energy from the Sun through the Earth and the dissipation of waste heat into the cold of deep space and why you cannot charge your phone from a bathtub full of hot water.

Through a thought-provoking and engaging discussion, David will provide new insights into the nature of the arrow of time and its role in shaping the Universe.

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

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For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About David Jamieson

A man is smiling at the camera

David Jamieson is a Professor of Physics at the University of Melbourne. He completed his PhD in physics at the University of Melbourne in 1985 and then spent 4 years working at Caltech (USA) and the University of Oxford (UK) as a postdoctoral research fellow. He served as President of the Australian Institute of Physics from 2005 to 2006 and as the convener of the national working group for the Decadal Plan for Physics in Australia. In addition to his research activities in ion beam physics he chairs the Cooperative Research Program of the International Atomic Energy Agency aimed at the development of new quantum technologies and is involved in physics outreach activities, regularly giving public lectures on fundamental issues in physics. From 2008 to 2013 he served as the Head of the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions