Theoretical physics

Renormalization has become perhaps the single most important advance in theoretical physics in 50 years.

Physicists have identified an algebraic structure underlying the messy mathematics of particle collisions. Some hope it will lead to a more elegant theory of the natural world.

Claudia de Rham showed how theories of “massive gravity” could potentially get rid of the need for dark energy.

Detailed computer simulations have found that a cosmic contraction can generate features of the universe that we observe today.

New calculations show how hypothetical particles called gravitons would give rise to a special kind of noise.

Can we test speculations about how quantum physics affects black holes and the Big Bang?

We asked four physicists why gravity stands out among the forces of nature. We got four different answers.

By chewing on the problems posed by “extremal” black holes, physicists have exposed a surprising and universal connection between energy and entropy.

Collider physicists report that several measurements of particles called B mesons deviate from predictions. Alone, each oddity looks like a fluke, but their collective drift is more suggestive.