The Secrets of Quantum Physics

The Secrets of Quantum Physics is a two-part British television series outlining the theories of quantum mechanics and quantum biology, described as "a brilliant guide" to a "jaw-dropping world". It is narrated and presented by Jim Al-Khalili. ^[1]

The Secrets of Quantum Physics
Genre	Documentary
Directed by	Tim Usborne Kenny Scott
Presented by	Jim Al-Khalili
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	2
Production
Executive producer	Paul Sen
Producers	Tim Usborne Kenny Scott
Running time	55 minutes
Production company	BBC
Original release
Network	BBC Four
Release	9 December (2014-12-09) – 16 December 2014 (2014-12-16)

Episodes

No.	Title	Original release date
1	"Einstein's Nightmare"[2]	8 December 2014 (2014-12-08)
This episode traces a path from the 1800s through the jazz age to the hippy era,[3] highlighting the insights into light which illuminated the true nature of reality, the conflicts with the ideas of Albert Einstein and recreating the test to resolve this conflict devised by John Bell in the 1960s.[4] The episode is illustrated with vaudevillian analogies, including playing cards with the Devil, demonstrating the thematic relations to Lewis Carroll.[3]
2	"Let There Be Life"[5]	16 December 2014 (2014-12-16)
This episode ponders the possibility that quantum physics explains some biological mysteries,[6] including the use of quantum entanglement for navigation by the European robin, the use of quantum vibrations for smell by humans, and the part played by the Uncertainty Principle in evolution.[7] The episode gives a novel spin on the subject,[7] illustrated with floating balls in the style of The Prisoner.[7]

Reception

Julia Raeside, writing in The Guardian, states that while Al-Khalili started gently with innocuous chat he soon led audiences down a rabbit hole of true scientific bewilderment, creating a bona fide head-breaker from start to sensational finish.^[1] Gary Rose, writing in the RadioTimes notes that Al-Khalili, who touched on the topic in his earlier series Atom, takes the subject to a deeper level.^[4]

Al-Khalili, who is emphatic and engaging, performed low-fi demonstrations with simple props, such as coins, gloves and cocktail paraphernalia,^[1] to explain mind-melting concepts clearly.^{[citation needed]}

Andrew Mueller, also writing in The Guardian, concludes that the series does what all good science journalism does, prompt the viewer to look at the world with a different and renewed appreciation.^[6]