2 ms·

Think of it in a simpler way. There is nothing we can currently measure, that will be different for one proton versus another.

by Iolaum 5y ago

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
db48x 5y ago
No. Bell’s Theorem states that if subatomic particles have any “hidden variable” which we cannot currently measure, then that “hidden variable” will either have no effect at all on the particles, or that it will have to have instantaneous “nonlocal” effects on them. If this hidden variable has no effect at all, then it is useless. Most physicists don’t care to include extra variables in a quantum mechanical theory that have no effect at all. By definition, they could not be measured, and so they would be extra baggage to carry around to no effect. Physicists don’t much like nonlocal theories either. Any theory that requires information about the particle at A to travel instantaneously to B in order to change the state of the particle there is going to be hard to sell. You might have heard of a fellow called Einstein, who proved that nothing can go faster than the speed of light. Thus, most physicists take the easier road, as it requires only that subatomic particles are indistinguishable. All this means is that particles are too simple to be uniquely identified. You can in principle tell the difference between two baseballs, because they have different patterns of wear and other markings on their surface. But those wear patterns and markings are formed out of the complex arrangements of trillions or quadrillions of atoms. It is easy to see how rearranging the ink molecules on the surface of a baseball could create a unique baseball, or how selectively removing molecules from the surface of the leather (by scratching it, for example) could do the same. But subatomic particles are too simple to have that kind of internal state. Even atoms are only slightly distinguishable. Most carbon atoms have 12 electrons, but a carbon ion might have 11 or 13 electrons. You can distinguish between the atom and the ion, but not between two atoms or two ions.

Think of it in a simpler way. There is nothing we can currently measure, that will be different for one proton versus another.

by Iolaum 5y ago

Think of it in a simpler way. There is nothing we can currently measure, that will be different for one proton versus another.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

db48x 5y ago

No. Bell’s Theorem states that if subatomic particles have any “hidden variable” which we cannot currently measure, then that “hidden variable” will either have no effect at all on the particles, or that it will have to have instantaneous “nonlocal” effects on them. If this hidden variable has no effect at all, then it is useless. Most physicists don’t care to include extra variables in a quantum mechanical theory that have no effect at all. By definition, they could not be measured, and so they would be extra baggage to carry around to no effect. Physicists don’t much like nonlocal theories either. Any theory that requires information about the particle at A to travel instantaneously to B in order to change the state of the particle there is going to be hard to sell. You might have heard of a fellow called Einstein, who proved that nothing can go faster than the speed of light. Thus, most physicists take the easier road, as it requires only that subatomic particles are indistinguishable. All this means is that particles are too simple to be uniquely identified. You can in principle tell the difference between two baseballs, because they have different patterns of wear and other markings on their surface. But those wear patterns and markings are formed out of the complex arrangements of trillions or quadrillions of atoms. It is easy to see how rearranging the ink molecules on the surface of a baseball could create a unique baseball, or how selectively removing molecules from the surface of the leather (by scratching it, for example) could do the same. But subatomic particles are too simple to have that kind of internal state. Even atoms are only slightly distinguishable. Most carbon atoms have 12 electrons, but a carbon ion might have 11 or 13 electrons. You can distinguish between the atom and the ion, but not between two atoms or two ions.