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Is the particle/wave duality idea hindering or helping the further understanding of these processes? Is that an idea? I thought that it was an observed fact. S
by narag 8y ago
Is the particle/wave duality idea hindering or helping the further understanding of these processes?
Is that an idea? I thought that it was an observed fact. Some people believed that light was a wave, some other people believed that it was particles so they tried their assumptions and both calculations were correct, as long as you don't mix them. Maybe it makes more difficult to understand reality, but sweeping duality under the rug doesn't seem right.
- TimTheTinker 8y agoThe slit experiment and its outcomes make it pretty easy for laymen to understand the duality. Feynman used it to great effect (I just watched that lecture last week - it’s really great.)
- oldandtired 8y agoWe observe certain things, the interpretation is the question. I am in no way saying that duality should be swept under the rug, but rather have the entire interpretation and information held up to the light to see what other information can be brought to bear to the problems this duality give rise to. As I intimated, should the observations that give rise to the interpretation that there are "virtual" particles that pop in and out of existence be brought to bear on this particular problem? There are those who would have you believe that the quantum vacuum is not empty but full of these "virtual" particles. Does this idea give any explanation to why we see a wave phenomena? Or this there something else that might give a better handle on the subject matter. Is how we measure adding additional things that give rise to the effects we see? There are so many questions that I do not see being asked. We should not be confusing the evidence we see with the interpretation we come up with. Too often, the interpretation of the facts is treated as if it is the fact.
- Nemrod67 8y agoOne thing kinda like it is the optical mechanics used to describe a mirror, they use virtual points that are beyond the mirror (if my French Lycée memory serves me well) but still produce the correct answer. In a way you could say that wave physics (from the Lycée too) behave like described by the equations... even though they migh be represented as in a fluid (ripples on water molecules-meta-material). Sometimes it's hard to reconsider the model and the perception of reality we have. Nice to see you kept commenting after having so many downvotes ;)
- oldandtired 8y agoWell being ill in bed does put a crimp in responding. What I find interesting is the different views that come out when someone does make a comment that others find not satisfactory. Further grist for the mill in understanding people and the nature of the universe around should be welcome. The wonderful thing is that there are so many questions and so few real answers. It means that we are able to have fun in investigating the universe around us. The child's "why?" is a wonderful question and should be delighted in.
- narag 8y agoDuality more than an interpretation seems to be an uncertainty state since we can't discard one of the possible models. Models are after all mathematical devices around a metaphor: EM waves are similar but not the same as waves in a fluid, and subatomic particles are more like machines than like little balls. But the maths stand. Actually I just disagree with you about this point. I also believe that physicists are too confident in chains of deductions that could fail in some point.