3 ms·

I always thought the "multiple universes" theory was just a convenient way to explain particle interactions that occur outside of our observable universe. They

I always thought the "multiple universes" theory was just a convenient way to explain particle interactions that occur outside of our observable universe. They may very well be in the this universe but because they're not observable it's presumed that they occur in another universe or many universes simultaneously.

btilly 10y ago
Not exactly. The "multiple universes" theory is an explanation that if quantum mechanics describes both the quantum mechanical system under study and the observer, then after the interaction of "observation", the system looks like a superposition of independent systems that each look like the observer observed something different. The amplitude of each system corresponds directly to the likelihood that we will think we observed one thing versus another, and quantum mechanics + thermodynamics shows that these copies will never be able to have any meaningful interaction. In short, in this interpretation reality, is quantum mechanics. There is never a "collapse" as there is in the Copenhagen interpretation. "Multiple universes" is merely a description of what quantum mechanics predicts the outcome will act like.
- tim333 10y ago
  Or another way of thinking about it: If you fire a particle at two slits with a screen on the other side you get an interference pattern on the screen implying the particle in a sense went through both slits and the results interfered. This happens even if you use quite complex particles such as C60 buckyballs. So the universe in some sense runs multiple versions some with the molecules going one way and some going the other. All the "multiple universe" explanation implies really is that this is a general phenomena and the universe runs all possible versions even when we can't observe the results.

3 ms·

I always thought the "multiple universes" theory was just a convenient way to explain particle interactions that occur outside of our observable universe. They

by riskable 10y ago

btilly 10y ago
Not exactly. The "multiple universes" theory is an explanation that if quantum mechanics describes both the quantum mechanical system under study and the observer, then after the interaction of "observation", the system looks like a superposition of independent systems that each look like the observer observed something different. The amplitude of each system corresponds directly to the likelihood that we will think we observed one thing versus another, and quantum mechanics + thermodynamics shows that these copies will never be able to have any meaningful interaction. In short, in this interpretation reality, is quantum mechanics. There is never a "collapse" as there is in the Copenhagen interpretation. "Multiple universes" is merely a description of what quantum mechanics predicts the outcome will act like.
- tim333 10y ago
  Or another way of thinking about it: If you fire a particle at two slits with a screen on the other side you get an interference pattern on the screen implying the particle in a sense went through both slits and the results interfered. This happens even if you use quite complex particles such as C60 buckyballs. So the universe in some sense runs multiple versions some with the molecules going one way and some going the other. All the "multiple universe" explanation implies really is that this is a general phenomena and the universe runs all possible versions even when we can't observe the results.