How Things Work: A Brief History of Reality
Book II: The Power of Three (#47. The Reality of Quantum Probability)
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Tuesday, September 6 , 2022
“So Einstein was wrong when he said, ‘God does not play dice.’ Consideration of black holes suggests, not only that God does play dice, but that he sometimes confuses us by throwing them where they can't be seen.”
― Stephen Hawking
CONSIDERATION #47 – “The Reality of Quantum Probability”
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
The Power of Three shows up in Quantum Mechanics as the three electrical charges making up the quantum atom known as the Proton, Neutron, and Electron. This balance of three unique charges is what makes the atom work at the subatomic level of reality. Unlike all other atomic theories of the past, Quantum theory no longer held that the atom was an indivisible unity. It was now more like a combination of nebulous possibility based on these three unique charges residing within the atom. Ultimately, Reality was manifested through a balance of these three forces consisting of positive, negative, and neutral electrical charges.
The atom was transforming from the fundamental building block of physicality to the fundamental metaphor for a new completely abstract view of reality. Soon, the study of Einstein’s universe and the study of Quantum Mechanics’ subatomic particles would come to represent two distinct, and at times contradicting, versions of Reality.
CONSIDERATION #47 – The Reality of Quantum Probability
The next atomic model was developed by Erwin Schrodinger. Schrodinger suggested that like photons, electrons behaved as both particles and waves. Therefore, electrons were not acting like a particle, or planet, revolving around the nucleus, but in fact like waves enveloping the nucleus. Schrodinger solved multiple mathematical equations leading him to a model of the atom showing the distribution of electrons as a cloud around its nucleus, not a specific particle. Not only that, but these clouds also only represented the probability of where the electron might be, and there was no way to ever know exactly where it actually was; all we can really know is that it is somewhere within the probability cloud, or from another perspective “everywhere” within the probability cloud.
The space these clouds occupy is called an “orbital.” Electrons do not travel around an orbital; they can move anywhere and everywhere within an orbital. In addition, electrons do not have to move in a circular motion at all, they can move in any direction within the orbital. This will be addressed in greater detail when we consider quantum mechanics more deeply in Volume II.
“Schrodinger’s new atomic theory would become a template for the entire field of quantum physics for developing theories based on complete mathematical abstractions that can never be proven…”
Schrodinger won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933 “for the discovery of new productive forms of atomic theory.” However, Schrodinger’s new atomic theory would become a template for the entire field of quantum physics for developing theories based on complete mathematical abstractions that can never be proven; but seem to yield practical and predictable results in the “real world” with no way of ever really understanding why or if it is actually “true.”
But can you call a theory true if no one understands it? A century after inventing quantum mechanics, physicists still squabble over what, exactly, it tells us about reality. Consider the Schrödinger equation, which allows you to compute the “wave function” of an electron. The wave function, in turn, yields a “probability amplitude,” which, when squared, yields the likelihood that you’ll find the electron in a certain spot.
The wave function has embedded within it an imaginary number. That’s an appropriate label, because an imaginary number consists of the square root of a negative number, which by definition does not exist. Although it gives you the answer you want, the wave function doesn’t correspond to anything in the real world. It works, but no one knows why. The same can be said of the Schrödinger equation.
John Horgan – Is the Schrodinger Equation True?
Scientific American – January 7, 2021
In 1932 James Chadwick, a student of Ernest Rutherford, completed the quantum model of the atom with his discovery of the “neutron,” winning him the 1935 Nobel Prize in Physics. Neutrons have a neutral charge; neither positive, nor negative. Neutrons are located in the nucleus of an atom with the proton, which has slightly less mass than the neutron. Hydrogen is the only atom that does not contain a neutron.
Neutrons are thought to help stabilize the atom by interacting and bonding with protons through the “strong force,” which is considerably stronger than classical electro-magnetism; allowing the nucleus of the atom to maintain its stability despite the electromagnetic repulsion between the positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons; acting somewhat like an “atomic glue.” Neutrons play a central role regarding the radioactive properties of atoms and was the lynchpin in the science of atomic fission, fusion, and the development of atomic weapons, such as the “neutron bomb.”
“The proton and electron in an atom represent two opposing forces (+-), just as yin and yang, and 0’s and 1’s does. The neutron corresponds to the third, sometimes undefined force, that allows the opposite forces to work together…”
Therefore, the atom, as we currently know and understand it, consists of three key constituents: proton, neutron, and electron. These three abstractions are theoretically responsible for the creation of the entire universe and everything in it. Just as yin, yang, and an unnamed third force generated “the ten thousand things.” Just as 0’s, I’s and “reason” created digital reality. The proton and electron in an atom represent two opposing forces (+-), just as yin and yang, and 0’s and 1’s does. The neutron corresponds to the third, sometimes undefined force, that allows the opposite forces to work together in manifesting a state of creation. Once again, the mystical manifestation of three.
Democritus had envisioned the atom as a solid indivisible unit of matter too small to be seen, with no internal structure. Quantum mechanics postulated the photon as a non-solid indivisible unit of matter too small to be seen, with no internal structure. Democritus’ atoms were mostly surrounded by empty space, the quantum atom is composed mostly of empty space. Democritus’ individual atoms had unique sizes, shapes, and weight depending on the physical substance they manifested. Quantum atoms comprise a periodic table based on atomic number and atomic weight. Democritus and quantum mechanics both proposed that atoms, or sub-particles such as photons, were indestructible, eternal, and impossible to actually ever see. Not bad for an old Greek.
“It transformed alchemy into molecular chemistry, allowing for unimaginable advances in industry, technology, biology, and medicine.”
The atomic revelations of the 19th and 20th centuries would revolutionize our conception of how the world worked in every possible way. It transformed alchemy into molecular chemistry, allowing for unimaginable advances in industry, technology, biology, and medicine. Ironically, it also began to reconnect the severed metaphysics of science and religion. And it created as many mysteries as it solved. No single person set the stage for the atomic age more than Albert Einstein.
POSTSCRIPT
The scientific thought experiment known as “Schrodinger’s Cat,” was the result of a discussion between Schrodinger and Einstein regarding the Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. The fundamental problem is that if everything at the quantum level is basically just probability or potential, at what point does something become more than probable, but actual? The essential answer was when it is directly observed. Until then, it remains in a quantum state of uncertainty. Therefore, the fate of the poor hypothetical cat in Schrodinger’s box can not be determined in reality until the box is opened; and reality is directly observed. Until then, the cat has equal probability of being dead or alive.
The atom becomes the focus of both Relativity and Quantum theories in science. These investigations would lead to a new level of science, medicine, industry, space travel, and the development of the atom bomb. The “Atomic Age” of science would change everything about our concept of Reality.
Next week we begin to untangle the enigma known as Albert Einstein.
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