The Field of Physics

Off Topic
21

The following toes the border between science theory and philosophy:

The basis for my explanation lies in two experiments.

The first is a thought experiment called The Schrodinger’s Cat experiment.

This is a “real world” explanation of the second example:

The second is called the two slit experiment. Double-slit experiment - Wikipedia

The point here is that every time a “decision” is made, all possible outcomes of the event exist simultaneously, until an observation is made, and one outcome is “chosen.” One could say that the universe exists in multiple states at this time, or that more than one universe exists until a “choice” is made.

Before an observation is made, all outcomes (universes) exist equally until one is “chosen,” at which point the other possibilities (universes) essentially evaporate as far as we are concerned. But, the chosen outcome is not what we are interested in here. We’re talking about the other possibilities (universes) that were not chosen.

Let’s use Schrodinger’s Cat as an example. Before the box is opened, there’s a universe where the cat was killed, and universe where the cat is alive. These universes exist simultaneously in equal capacities. Now, let’s say we open the box and the cat is dead. Our universe continues on without the cat. But, for a time, there existed a complete duplicate of our universe where the cat is alive.

So, before an observation is made, both universes exist. The question is: What happens to the universe where the cat lived AFTER the observation is made. As far as our universe in concerned, that universe is kaput. However, this universe has a future which differs from ours in that it contains one extra cat. In this way, the universe forms a sort of “tree” of reality, starting with the big bang, because every chance event and every decision ever made spawns a new branch of the tree (a new universe) which could have happened, but didn’t.

But exactly how real are this alternate universes? Do they exist as strongly as you and me? I tend to think not. I think they exist purely as possibilities. What could have or would have been is not as real as what is.

22

My best friend has a BS in Physics and he works in Huntsville in missile defense. From what he talks about it sounds like a cool job that makes some good money.

23

[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
My best friend has a BS in Physics and he works in Huntsville in missile defense. From what he talks about it sounds like a cool job that makes some good money.[/quote]
cool

24

[quote]Dr.Matt581 wrote:

[quote]pat wrote:
Yep, Dr. Matt is the man… I have enjoyed some really good conversations with him.[/quote]

Pat, I swear that I am not ignoring your last e-mail. I know that it has been a while but I have been really busy with this Higgs Boson stuff and other things. I know the announcement seems to have come out of nowhere, but this has had the entire particle physics community excited for a good while now. I will get around to it when I have a little more time.

To the OP: I am a particle physicist (PhD from Carnegie Mellon University).

I know there are quite a few questions piled up and I will get around to them when I get to my office tomorrow morning as well as share some info about this new particle that has been discovered.[/quote]

Perfect, I was particularly interested in String theory. Michio Kaku’s work and the 11 dimensions. Mathematically I am pretty weak but trying to learn more. The concept of a point charge having 0-dimensions but movement in various (4?5?6?11?) is what I find very intriguing and “understand” (not sure if you can actually use that word with theoretical physics). Obviously in terms of the latest discovery and it’s relation to the standard model I’d love to hear more about it and it’s implications (how the yet to be determined spin of the boson will change the standard model’s congruency) as well as the more speculated part the “Graviton” plays. Also the insiders scoop on super symmetry and the existence of dark matter.

Ever since I started studying this stuff for fun I find like there are just too many questions too little time and not enough intelligent people to consult (not like we will ever be able to fully understand all of it given our very limited physiology but to our credit our consciousness is a miracle in and of itself).

25

[quote]Raging_Teddy wrote:

But exactly how real are this alternate universes? Do they exist as strongly as you and me? I tend to think not. I think they exist purely as possibilities. What could have or would have been is not as real as what is.[/quote]

It is indeed a very intricate complexion that the universe presents. It’s the one concept that is absolutely mind blowing, particle entanglement and try as you might I don’t think it can truly be comprehended. Based on Einstein’s space time postulate (right word?) it could be that the cat that is alive is in another “slice” of space time? It still baffles me (and virtually everyone else) to try and even think of the “how”.

26

[quote]rehanb_bl wrote:

[quote]Dr.Matt581 wrote:

[quote]pat wrote:
Yep, Dr. Matt is the man… I have enjoyed some really good conversations with him.[/quote]

Pat, I swear that I am not ignoring your last e-mail. I know that it has been a while but I have been really busy with this Higgs Boson stuff and other things. I know the announcement seems to have come out of nowhere, but this has had the entire particle physics community excited for a good while now. I will get around to it when I have a little more time.

To the OP: I am a particle physicist (PhD from Carnegie Mellon University).

I know there are quite a few questions piled up and I will get around to them when I get to my office tomorrow morning as well as share some info about this new particle that has been discovered.[/quote]

Perfect, I was particularly interested in String theory. Michio Kaku’s work and the 11 dimensions. Mathematically I am pretty weak but trying to learn more. The concept of a point charge having 0-dimensions but movement in various (4?5?6?11?) is what I find very intriguing and “understand” (not sure if you can actually use that word with theoretical physics). Obviously in terms of the latest discovery and it’s relation to the standard model I’d love to hear more about it and it’s implications (how the yet to be determined spin of the boson will change the standard model’s congruency) as well as the more speculated part the “Graviton” plays. Also the insiders scoop on super symmetry and the existence of dark matter.

Ever since I started studying this stuff for fun I find like there are just too many questions too little time and not enough intelligent people to consult (not like we will ever be able to fully understand all of it given our very limited physiology but to our credit our consciousness is a miracle in and of itself).[/quote]
don’t start getting all sappy and shit

27

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

don’t start getting all sappy and shit[/quote]

i’ll apply some anti sappiness

28

Shade tree physicists. Classic.

29

[quote]Dr.Matt581 wrote:

[quote]pat wrote:
Yep, Dr. Matt is the man… I have enjoyed some really good conversations with him.[/quote]

I know there are quite a few questions piled up and I will get around to them when I get to my office tomorrow morning as well as share some info about this new particle that has been discovered.[/quote]

Atta boy Matt, I usually don’t post on my own time either!

30

[quote]theuofh wrote:
Physics is for people without the faith or personal strength to accept Jesus and all his miracles as their personal savior.[/quote]

This does not make any sense. My housemate is a devout Christian and a physicist!! GASP!!!

Unless you’re joking…in which case…thanks for the lulz!

31

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
[/quote]

Thanks Spar.

Does anyone think humans will colonize planets say one thousand years from now (or much sooner) or do you guys think we will always live on Earth, bar say maybe a few hundred or thousand people dotted around on a couple of planets?

32

Why couldn’t they name it the Higgs Bro-son, seeing as it explains why some of the elementary particles have mass?

33

[quote]yolo84 wrote:
Does anyone think humans will colonize planets say one thousand years from now (or much sooner) or do you guys think we will always live on Earth, bar say maybe a few hundred or thousand people dotted around on a couple of planets?[/quote]

Well you know we can’t always live here on Earth, that we will eventually have to leave.

And despite being a (likely) optimist in this regard, I’ll still say less-than-zero chance of interstellar travel in next thousand years (or less).

34

Shade tree physicists. Classic.

35

[quote]chillain wrote:

[quote]yolo84 wrote:
Does anyone think humans will colonize planets say one thousand years from now (or much sooner) or do you guys think we will always live on Earth, bar say maybe a few hundred or thousand people dotted around on a couple of planets?[/quote]

Well you know we can’t always live here on Earth, that we will eventually have to leave.

And despite being a (likely) optimist in this regard, I’ll still say less-than-zero chance of interstellar travel in next thousand years (or less).

[/quote]

Less than zero chance? How’s that work?

36

[quote]spar4tee wrote:

[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
My best friend has a BS in Physics and he works in Huntsville in missile defense. From what he talks about it sounds like a cool job that makes some good money.[/quote]
cool[/quote]

Huntsville’s a nice town. Lots of smart people. More PhDs per capita than anywhere else in the world. But [almost] no women. If you move there, bring a girl with you. It’s also hot and humid.

I spent a summer there doing telecom stuff; my neighbor downstairs worked at NASA, the guys across the hall did computer modeling of jet engine combustion.

37

[quote]Dr.Matt581 wrote:

[quote]pat wrote:
Yep, Dr. Matt is the man… I have enjoyed some really good conversations with him.[/quote]

Pat, I swear that I am not ignoring your last e-mail. I know that it has been a while but I have been really busy with this Higgs Boson stuff and other things. I know the announcement seems to have come out of nowhere, but this has had the entire particle physics community excited for a good while now. I will get around to it when I have a little more time.

To the OP: I am a particle physicist (PhD from Carnegie Mellon University).

I know there are quite a few questions piled up and I will get around to them when I get to my office tomorrow morning as well as share some info about this new particle that has been discovered.[/quote]

No worries Dr. Matt, do what you do. When you get a chance, I would love, love to here more about it… Since I was starting the think that the higgs-boson may not even exist because of it’s elusiveness, some of what I was asking about probably doesn’t matter anymore, because they seem to have found it! Awesome shit.
I sent you another asking about it, but just get back to me when you can… I get it that you are slammed.

38

[quote]theuofh wrote:
Physics is for people without the faith or personal strength to accept Jesus and all his miracles as their personal savior.[/quote]

Uncle…
Then people post stupid shit like this… I am a Christian, dude. One has little to do with the other, at least at this level.
If you use faith or a lack of faith as an excuse to be ignorant than you are a fool.

39

[quote]byukid wrote:
Why couldn’t they name it the Higgs Bro-son, seeing as it explains why some of the elementary particles have mass?[/quote]

LOL! I like :slight_smile:

40

[quote]yolo84 wrote:

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
[/quote]

Thanks Spar.

Does anyone think humans will colonize planets say one thousand years from now (or much sooner) or do you guys think we will always live on Earth, bar say maybe a few hundred or thousand people dotted around on a couple of planets?

[/quote]

The moon, maybe other planets would be hell… The thing is that if life were sustainable on other planets it would already be there. The fact that it’s not means that you’ll have to create an entire ecosystem for people to survive and thrive in, not just enough to sustain life for a short period of time… I don’t think any sane person or government would or could afford to even postulate such a thing. Can we? Maybe, would we? Probably not anytime soon. You are talking major logistical challenges with little chance and reward.
“Yea, we made a dome on Mars, no what?” That would be fun for a day, I think looking at red rocks would get old.