2012 review: The year in the physical sciences

Even the universe probably isn't eternal (Image: Jupe/Alamy)

You may have thought that 2011 was the year of amazing physics, but 2012 soundly beats it. Whereas last year threw up intriguing questions, 2012 was a year of answers, some enabled by marvels of engineering.

Einstein was first to dream up dark energy

For geniuses, even blunders are triumphs in disguise. A dialogue between Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrödinger, pictured, suggests the pair stumbled upon the idea of dark energy 80 years before its time, while toying with what they thought was an ugly fudge factor.

Is Quantum Reality Analog after All?

Last year the Foundational Questions Institute's third essay contest posed the following question to physicists and philosophers: “Is Reality Digital or Analog?”

Common Physics Misconceptions