Collections

One of the beautiful things about maths is that every concept is part of a bigger picture — a picture that grows over time, transcends traditional boundaries, and often informs a range of real-world applications. The collections below aim to present some of these mathematical jigsaws by bringing together content exploring specific topics from different perspectives and at varying levels of depth.

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Can information be turned into energy?

In the latest online poll of our Information about information project you told us that you'd like an answer to this question. We asked Seth Lloyd, an expert on information at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and here is an answer. We also bring you two related articles from FQXi who are our partners on this project. Happy reading!
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A brief history of quantum field theory

This series of accessible articles traces the history of quantum field theory, from its inception at the beginning of the twentieth century to the tantalising questions that are still open today. 

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The 2013 Plus advent calendar

Is it cold outside? Yes! The fire warm? Yes! Snow on its way? Yes! Do we love Christmas? YES! Celebrate the countdown with the Plus advent calendar featuring our favourite bits of maths. Now, what's behind today's door...?

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Researching the unknown

Science is much stranger than fiction. It suggests that our Universe may just be one of infinitely many which constantly pop in and out of existence like bubbles in a bubble bath. There may be many more dimensions that the three we can see and our Universe is riddled with black holes at whose centres time and space tear themselves apart. Intrigued? This ongoing project will bring you the latest research in physics with the help of researchers from Queen Mary University of London.
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Science fiction, science fact: What is space?

Space is the stage on which physics happens. It's unaffected by what happens inside it and it would still be there if everything in it disappeared. This is how we learn to think about space at school. But the idea is as novel as it is out-dated.
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The 2012 Plus advent calendar

What's that we hear? Sleigh bells! What's that we smell? Chestnuts roasting on an open fire! What can that mean? Christmas is coming! Celebrate the countdown with the Plus advent calendar featuring our favourite mathematical moments from 2012. Now, what's behind today's door...?

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The Isaac Newton Institute: Creating eureka moments

The Isaac Newton Institute celebrates its 20th birthday this year, having opened in July 1992. To join in the celebrations we bring you a selection of articles exploring some of the research programmes that have been held there. The Institute asked us to produce these articles in 2010 and we were honoured by being afforded this rare glimpse behind its venerable doors. And as you'll see, what started out as abstract mathematics scribbled on the back of a napkin can have major impact in the real world.
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Teacher package: Classical mechanics

Whether it's the planets moving around the Sun or building the perfect cycling track, the key to many questions in our lives lies in classical mechanics. This teacher package brings together all our content on mechanics.