The Dilemma of Space, Time, and the Quanta Part 3

Quantum Weirdness 

In 1927 a scientist by the name of Werner Heisenberg created the uncertainty principle. The uncertainty principle stands as a guidepost that differentiates between quantum and classical reasoning. As you've most likely learned the more you know about the velocity of a particle the less you know about its position. This principle gave rise to something a little more confusing called quantum tunneling which can be explained in the video below. 

The uncertainty principle shows that the universe when viewed in smaller distances and shorter time scales it seems more frenetic. Energy and moment are uncertain, changing with fluctuations of the universe. Energy and momentum are extracting "loans" from the universe and at the same time "paying" the loans back at constant rates. So you may wonder what is it like in a region of space that is empty, you'll find that everything is happening. As you know energy can be converted into matter as well as matter can be converted to energy. This is explained in E=mc2. If the fluctuations of energy are large enough then an electron and antimatter(which is a bit more confusing so it's okay to just look at the electrons for now) can be brought into existence despite the space being previously empty. But as we said earlier the exchange between energy and momentum and the universe is constant and repaid in a quick fashion these electrons and their antimatter destroy each other "paying" back the universe. This happens constantly at the microscopic level although it may not appear so on the macroscopic level. But it is this "frenzy" that provides the key problem with merging together quantum mechanics and general relativity. 

As we have previously stated space is flat with the absence of mass. So one would expect it to be flat when smaller images of space are viewed. But as we will soon learn quantum mechanics gives a much different view on this one that changes the conclusion drastically. The "frenzy" previously discussed in the uncertainty principle is prevalent in everything not limited to the gravitational field. The uncertainty principle tells us that the quantum fluctuations are going up and down even when the gravitational field has an average of zero. Narrowing down the focus of space we find that there are larger undulations occurring. The image below shows that as we examine the gravitational field closer and closer you find that the warping of space does not resemble the wave like curve we viewed in previous blogs, like the rubber and bowling ball analogy used. But it takes on something called,quantum foam in which it is more turbulent. 

This shows that the idea of a smooth-like spatial geometry, which happens to be the principle of which general principle is founded on, is erased by the quantum world's violent undulations. When quantum mechanics and general relativity are merged into an equation the answer is usually one, crazy answer, infinity. But something to take note of is looking at the above image from top down. You'll see that the more we move to a macro scale the violent, quantum frenzy cancels each other out. This can be compared to how the fabric of space appears smooth except on the occasions when it is being viewed on the ultra microscopic level. This explains why general relativity fails in applications of short distances, due to quantum fluctuations, but succeeds in large distances. Physicists have argued as to why there is an incompatibility between quantum mechanics and general relativity. Some arguments point out our flawed knowledge of the universe as to a reason why. There have been numerous attempts at modifying general relativity or quantum mechanics, but all attempts have resulted in failure. But maybe a success is in sight, that possible success being, the discovery of superstring theory. 

The Dilemma of Space, Time, and the Quanta Part 2

Of Warps and Ripples 

The equivalence principle or the principle of equivalence declares that all constant velocity observers are subject to an identical set of physical laws and that, therefore, every constant velocity observer is justified in claiming that he or she is at rest. Now this should sound familiar from the last post where we used an example of being in space and watching someone pass by. This principle is a key role in general relativity. After this fundamental development Einstein declared that matter creates curves in spacetime.  So let's further on this point, in the absence of any matter of energy we can envision that space is flat. So you may ask what happens when a massive object is present in space. The massive object would, as all objects do, exert a gravitational force on other objects. This massive object would cause the fabric of space to warp, like a bowling ball placed on a sheet of rubber. As illustrated in the picture below.

Instead of space being a backdrop of events and occurrences in the universe, its shape responds to objects in it. The warping of space then affect nearby objects making them move in a distorted spatial fabric. This explains "going into an orbit", the sun creates this warp in the fabric of space. The planets orbiting are moving along the valley of in the warped spatial fabric. From this and Einstein's teachings we can say that, that warping in space IS GRAVITY ITSELF! Not only that but any object with mass will cause space to wrap. Earth is not held by the gravitational pull of other objects that guide it along valleys in warped space. As Einstein would show objects instead move along the paths of least resistance or shortest possible route. Something also to consider is that the warping of space is not a two dimensional warp but a three dimensional wrap. A warp in time is most severe in much stronger gravitational fields. Time will move slower in these types of gravitational fields like on the outside of a black hole. Yes, were about to get into black holes, but only briefly this time. Let's say you got to a black hole's event horizon, which at that point you are being draw towards the black hole, you are doomed. If you dropped feet first into a black hole as you grew closer to the center you'd get uncomfortable. The gravitational pull would increase so much that it would grow stronger on your feet than your head. This would cause you to be stretched into tiny pieces, those pieces would also be stretched into tiny pieces as well, and so on and so on. But let us say you were on a cable an inch above the event horizon of a massive black hole you'd find that time would be much slower. A watch would tick ten thousand times more slowly than an ordinary watch. You'd in fact upon returning to Earth find that more than ten thousand years have passed since you've been gone. This is because the gravitational pull was so strong that it warped time. A diagram of a black hole is below.

This will be where we end for this post, but next post will touch on the expansion of the universe and microscopic weirdness. As always if you have questions feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer you.

The Dilemma of Space, Time, and the Quanta Part 1

The Principle of Relativity 

In the book, the principle of relativity declares that all constant velocity observers are subject to an identical set of physical laws, this then means that constant velocity observers are justified in making the claim that they are at rest. Before you can talk about speed or velocity, the means of measuring tit must be established. Let us use the example from the book to properly explain this and the principle of relativity. George is in space with a spacesuit that has a continuous, flashing green light. George is in absolute darkness and is completely still. Off in the distance he sees a flashing red light slowly coming towards him. After some time he sees Gracie who like him is in space, they wave at each other and Gracie passes by him, slowly fading into the distance. From Gracie's perspective, she is stationary and George passes by her. So you may be asking yourself, who is right, who is moving? The answer is they are both correct, both of these viewpoints have equal standings, both felt stationary and saw the other as moving, This example can be used to explain the meaning behind the principle of relativity. Using this we can say that the concept of motion is relative.When speaking about motion of an object relative to or by comparison of another object. This means that, Susan travels 5 miles per hour has no real meaning. But, Susan travels 5 miles per hour past Jessie does hold meaning because there is an established benchmark. We can say then that there is no absolute notion of motion. 

Truth and Consequences

Time elapses more slowly for an individual that is in motion than an individual that is at rest. You may come to the conclusion that if someone is at motion rather than staying at rest, then they should be able to live longer. If people were able to move as fast as let's say muons, they would live 700 years, instead of 70 years. But the people living longer aren't actually living longer they are moving, slower. From the perspective of those living 70 years the people living 700 years are moving at a hyper slow motion pace. To them they are living an average 70 year life, but one of their normal life cycles is a much greater amount of time to a 70 year person's time. So from this what conclusion can we make. Well one being that time is affected by motion. But what is time, most definitions will either use the word time or use long explanations in order not to use the word, time. Let's say that you are driving in a straight line at 100 miles per hour down a road 10 miles long. It would take six minutes to complete because it is a tenth of an hour and 100 miles per hour. But what if you drive at an angle, well then you now you see your time has increased from six minutes to seven and eight minutes. Why is this happening, well let's consider that going in a straight line is two spatial dimensions. The time it takes to clear the road is increased because it is traversing through another dimension, time itself. Time is our fourth dimension, when we ask to meet someone we tell them where in space we want to meet them. But something as important is when we want to meet them. The dimensions are three in space and one that is located in time. Let's end this post with talking of the light speed. Say we took a muon for example and propelled it at great speed, enough to have it reach 99.9999999 the percent the speed of light. There is a specific reason why we can't just push it a little harder to get it to the speed of light. That reason is that as the speed increases for the muon the more massive it becomes. So as it increases its speed the more difficult it becomes to increase its speed. The mass would increase without limit as the speed gets closer to the speed of light. To break that barrier it would require an infinite amount of energy. But this is impossible, meaning that nothing travels faster light. 

The Edge of Knowledge Part Two

String Theory: The Basic Idea 

     String theory is a term that will be used throughout these blogs. But the key word to focus on is string, so what are strings. Matter itself is composed of many different microscopic things that you've learned about in your biology, chemistry and physics. Matter is composed of atoms, atoms are made up of smaller things like electrons. But for a long time the edge of our knowledge stopped at this level. We thought that these were the smallest pieces of matter that were in our universe, until quarks. Quarks are divided into six different varieties; up quarks, down quarks, charm quarks, strange quarks, top quarks bottom quarks. Quarks are fascinating in it of itself but I won't take to much time on it. What encompasses the quarks are what we call strings, which are vibrating and looping and shaping matter. Although not clear at this vary moment string actually resolves the problem of general relativity and quantum mechanics being incompatible with each other. How, will be a discussion piece a little further down the line. I've enclosed below a diagram that shows the inner workings of matter:

String Theory as the Unified Theory of Everything

String theory provides an explanation that is capable of bringing together all forces and all matter. According to string theory the vibration of the strings then shape the very things we see around us. A proton is in its simplest form a string oscillating one way, just as a quarks strings vibrating another way. Instead of a chaotic collection of physical experimental facts, in string theory the properties of particles are all just the pattern of vibration, the loops of string. This is one of the most quintessential pieces of string theory, it is for the first time a framework for physics that doesn't just relate to two theories; quantum mechanics and general relativity. No, it will give us an explanation to every, fundamental feature down to the most microscopic feature on which our very universe is based and built upon. This is why string theory is named at times the "theory of everything" or the "ultimate" or "final" theory. The discovery of the theory of everything, the greatest explanation of the universe, in which it does not need any deeper type of explanation. This theory will not mean that all scientific fields have been solved, it actually means the opposite. It means that for once will have an unshakable, absolute foundation in which we can build our understanding of the world and of, the universe. 

Sidenote: This was all just the tip of the iceberg, the upcoming blog posts are going to slowly get deeper into string theory and the universe in which string theory would suggest we live in. They will become more complicated as we go along so feel free to ask questions and if I cannot give you one right away, know that I'll be diving into the book to find one. 

The Edge of Knowledge Part 1

I began reading The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. The above image is the cover of our topic book. Through this book we will try to unravel the mysteries of the universe and open up and exam the two types physics: quantum mechanics and general relativity. Through these two fields of physics we have made many breakthroughs in the physics world but there has always been tension between the two. When the equations are both combined they no longer hold up. This is where the superstring theory(string theory for short) comes into play. The superstring theory resolves the tension between the two, but it does not end there it also has general relativity and quantum mechanics to require one another in order to work. string theory as quoted in the book, "has the potential to show that all of the wondrous happenings in the universe...are reflections of one grand physical principle, one master equation."There are three conflicts between quantum mechanics and general relativity. The first being in the late 1800s, the laws of motion say that if you run fast enough you can catch up to a beam of light departing. But the laws of electromagnetism would disagree with the laws of motion. This was resolved by Einstein with his theory of special relativity, this states that space and time can no longer be viewed as universal concepts that are absolute that are experienced by everyone the same. This theory of special relativity although solved the first conflict it also set in motion the second conflict. Einstein concluded that no object could travel faster can travel faster than the speed of light. The universal theory of gravitation uses the concept that there are influences that are transmitted through large distances of space instantaneously, far faster than the speed of light. This was resolved by the general theory of relativity like before this overturned our thoughts on space and time previously held. Special relativity gave us the understanding that space and time are influenced by one's state of motion. General relativity would take it a step forward to say that space and time can also be warped and curved in response to matter and energy being present.  But like the first time the theory used to resolve the conflict ended up setting the stage for another. Beginning in 1900, three decades were used to develop quantum mechanics. This is because of the fact that our current concepts on physics did not work when applied to the microscopic world. The third conflict is one that comes from quantum mechanics and general relativity not working together. The conflict is named the central problem with modern physics. String theory offers a resolution to this conflict, this is where things get interesting with this theory. It is known that in this universe we have three spatial dimension. But string theory would claim that there are many more dimensions hidden within our universe, hidden in the folded fabric of the cosmos.