How Things Work: A Brief History of Reality
BOOK II: The Power of Three (#49 "The Photoelectric Effect" - Part 1)
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Tuesday, September 20 , 2022
“It is seen that both matter and radiation possess a remarkable duality of character, as they sometimes exhibit the properties of waves, at other times those of particles. Now, it is obvious that a thing cannot be a form of wave motion and composed of particles at the same time - the two concepts are too different.”
— Werner Heisenberg
CONSIDERATION #49 – “The Photoelectric Effect” Part One
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
In one single year, Albert Einstein did more to change our concept of the Universe and the “laws” of science that governed it than perhaps any other single scientist in history. Essentially, purposefully, or not, Einstein changed science from an objective empirical discipline to a consideration of abstract rational possibility. The universe that once made complete empirical sense had begun to become more complicated, moving far beyond sensory perception into a new technological experience surpassing mere mortal awareness or understanding. Albert Einstein reflects that modern transition of Reality in serval ways.
“Einstein began a scientific process that showed the universe was functioning more at a ‘rational’ level of understanding than on an ‘empirical’ level of understanding.”
The “classical” understanding of physics was based on a universe held together by simple laws of nature. The “physical” world of the senses was the “real” world, all other “possible” worlds were only accessible through the Rational Mind. Einstein began a scientific process that showed the universe was functioning more at a “rational” level of understanding than on an “empirical” level of understanding. At the atomic level, certainties such as time, space, matter, and energy evolve into pure mathematical abstractions of possibility.
Basically, in Einstein’s new model of the universe, appearance, or perception, proved to be very deceiving. The once objective physical universe operating under the empirically certain “laws of physics” was beginning to unravel into a paradox of two conflicting realities: the Empirical experience of the objective physical world functioning at the level of perception and the Quantum reality of the atoms and subatomic particles of pure energy that manifested them, which were imperceptible. Metaphysics, in the form of complete mathematical abstraction, had once again become a fundamental consideration in modern science.
“…the discovery of the atom, and the unique reality it seemed to reveal, demanded a more abstract approach to understanding.”
The first hint of this scientific revolution is Einstein’s work with Planck’s “energy quanta” leading to the classification of “photons” and a Nobel Prize in 1921. The traditional understanding of light and waves worked well at the practical level of classical physics; major new technologies were developed at this level of objective science. However, the discovery of the atom, and the unique reality it seemed to reveal, demanded a more abstract approach to understanding. Einstein’s first revelation focuses on the “dual nature” of light. This paradox involving “wave particle duality” opens the door to a universe that appears to operate under two completely different sets of rules.
Although this “duality” had always been a problem in classical physics, it did not become a problem requiring a solution until the advent of Quantum Mechanics. On a practical level, it really didn’t matter until the discovery of the “quantum atom.” In “The Photoelectric Effect – Part One,” we consider the origin of the wave/particle paradox debate that ignited a controversy in modern science even before Einstein became involved.
CONSIDERATION #49 – The Photoelectric Effect – Part One
”This discovery revolutionized our understanding of the world around us… This discovery is so important – and Nobel Prize worthy – because Einstein suggested for the first time that light is both a wave and a particle. This phenomenon, known as the wave-particle duality of light, is fundamental to all of quantum mechanics and has influenced the development of electron microscopes and solar cells.”
Sabrina Stierwalt, PhD – Einstein's Legacy: The Photoelectric Effect
The Photoelectric Effect – Nobel Prize in Physics 1921
Robert Hooke (1635-1703) supported the wave theory of light that had previously been advocated by the renowned Rene Descartes; suggesting that light was composed of a group of pure white wavelengths. Hooke argued that the colors produced from light when divided through a prism were a result of “corruption” due to the imperfection of the prism. However, his contemporary, Isaac Newton, argued that light was in fact composed of particles, and not waves. Newton showed that the light passing through a prism resulting in a spectrum of color could be re-passed through another prism and reconstituted back into pure white light. Newton hypothesized that the color must have been present in the light even prior to it being broken up into colors, otherwise they could not be reconstituted back into the original white light. Since light must have substance in order to contain or manifest color, it must therefore be composed of particles capable of supporting color, not pure white waves.
“James Maxwell cemented the wave theory of light into classical physics with a unification of electricity, magnetism, and optics into his theory of electromagnetism…”
Although Newton’s Particle Theory of Light elegantly explained the color problems of light, it could not solve the problems of reflection and refraction that eventually led to Hooke’s theory of light as waves, to win out and become one of the foundational principles of classical physics. In the 1860’s, James Maxwell cemented the wave theory of light into classical physics with a unification of electricity, magnetism, and optics into his theory of electromagnetism, describing light as a propagating wave of electric and magnetic fields. In addition, he predicted the existence of electromagnetic radiation traveling as electromagnetic waves moving at the speed of light. This theory of light allowed for amazing, and practical, advancements in all fields of science until the development of quantum mechanics. The inventive theory of light waves that had revolutionized the “real world” of the senses could not survive the unusual, and often contradictory, nature of the extremely small and unseen world of the atom.
Ironically, the concept of a photoelectric effect originated with Heinrich Hertz, who helped solidify and establish the wave theory of light. However, he did not pursue the paradox, confident that it would eventually be explained by wave theory sometime in the future. In 1905, Albert Einstein put the wave theory of light to the test, with surprising results.
POSTSCRIPT
In this consideration we see the application of classical physics based on deduction and empirical observation. The arguments made by both Hooke and Newton reflect arguments based on direct empirical observation. Hooke deduces and argues that a “physical corruption” in the “physical make up” of the prism itself is responsible for the “misperception” experienced as color. However, Newton deduces and argues that if it is a “misperception” then if the “misperception” was put back through the prism again it should not reconstitute back into “white light,” which is what empirically happens when that is done.
“However, even at this stage of physics, the inherent contradiction related to the nature of light was a problem.”
Notice that neither of these arguments is based on specific mathematical abstractions or theories. Both theories are based on deduction and empirical evidence or observation. This was the essence of “classical physics.” However, even at this stage of physics, the inherent contradiction related to the nature of light was a problem. Once the focus of physics shifted from the objects of perception (the universe) to the objects of abstraction (atoms and subatomic particles) this dual nature of light becomes the problem.
Next week Einstein’s solution to the “wave-particle paradox” and the dual reality of light.
Excerpt from Untangling the Knots of Reality – Podcast #11: “Untangling Aristotle’s Physics & Metaphysics." UPGRADE TODAY!
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•Untangling the Knots of Reality Podcast: “Untangling Aristotle’s Physics & Metaphysics” (How did the Socratic Method of dialectical argument become embedded into Western education? Who established the first university? How did Aristotle influence Christianity, Science, Social Science, the Age of Reason, and the birth of the United States of America? It all comes together at the Lyceum and in the Physics and Metaphysics of Aristotle. )
•Reality by a Thread (Discussion Thread): Preview of Book V – “Quantum Consciousness” (Topic: The Essence of Rationalism – “Let’s consider this idea of Potential Being from a simpler, less metaphysical, perspective. When we talk about “potential reality” it sounds very philosophical and impractical. However, it is something human beings experience every day...”)
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