Does the Past Exist Yet? Evidence Suggests Your Past Isn't Set in Stone - Page 3

Avatard · 08-22-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyk

Huh, so I guess that tree in the woods not only makes no sound if nobody's around to hear it, but it doesn't even "decide" to fall down in the first place.

Cool article.

Thanks, it kinda blew my mind too. Thought I'd pass it on. Glad some here are sharp enough to appreciate stuff like this...

Papa_Complex · 08-23-2010, 03:00 PM

In other news: Dude...... my hands are HUGE! They can touch everything but themselves. Oh.... wait....

Dave · 08-23-2010, 05:09 PM

Yeah, 2.2 litres worth

Particle Man · 08-23-2010, 05:30 PM

and what does this due to the whole Schrodinger's Cat thing...

Avatard · 08-23-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

and what does this due to the whole Schrodinger's Cat thing...

You know, I included the dual slit experiment, because that's one that I "get", and also because it came up when I went looking for some answers regarding the Schrodinger's cat experiment.

I'm still struggling to understand the Schrodinger's cat thing. There is an algebraic equation for it, but sadly, algebra never was one of my strong suits. Perhaps if I had a better grasp on that, I'd get the overall gist of the whole experiment better.

askmrjesus · 08-23-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatard

You know, I included the dual slit experiment, because that's one that I "get", and also because it came up when I went looking for some answers regarding the Schrodinger's cat experiment.

I'm still struggling to understand the Schrodinger's cat thing. There is an algebraic equation for it, but sadly, algebra never was one of my strong suits. Perhaps if I had a better grasp on that, I'd get the overall gist of the whole experiment better.

It's simple.

The cats a fucking vampire. Not living, not dead, or: undead and unliving at the same time.

Basically, the cat is fucked no matter what.

JC

Dave · 08-23-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

It's simple.

The cats a fucking vampire. Not living, not dead, or: undead and unliving at the same time.

Basically, the cat is fucked no matter what.

JC

Who is like the cat, and who can make war with him?

anthonyk · 08-23-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatard

You know, I included the dual slit experiment, because that's one that I "get", and also because it came up when I went looking for some answers regarding the Schrodinger's cat experiment.

I'm still struggling to understand the Schrodinger's cat thing. There is an algebraic equation for it, but sadly, algebra never was one of my strong suits. Perhaps if I had a better grasp on that, I'd get the overall gist of the whole experiment better.

As far as I understand it (which ain't far), it's just an attempt to point out some of the absurdities of how quantum systems were/are being represented. As long as you're talking about subatomic particles, people seem okay with thinking about them existing as blurry probability fields (or whatever you wanna call them). Electrons don't orbit the nucleus in chemistry books anymore, they're just clouds where the electrons have an equal probability of being at any given time.

Schrodinger just took that subatomic system view and linked it up to something macroscopic that we're used to seeing and touching. If the subatomic system exists in all states, then the detector in the box is simultaneously detecting a particle and not, and the poison (or whatever kills the cat) is both released and not released, so the cat's both dead and alive. The math totally supports it, and if you accept the quantum explanation at the subatomic level, you gotta accept that it works the same way with the cat. And then you lose your mind.

Or something like that.

Captain Morgan · 08-23-2010, 09:09 PM

So wait, the dual split experiment basically says that something will act differently than normal if it is being observed? Well, no fucking shit! It really took a quantum physicist to figure that out?

Particle Man · 08-23-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

So wait, the dual split experiment basically says that something will act differently than normal if it is being observed? Well, no fucking shit! It really took a quantum physicist to figure that out?

Especially a cat... They're freakin' nuts.

08-23-2010, 03:00 PM	#2
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	In other news: Dude...... my hands are HUGE! They can touch everything but themselves. Oh.... wait.... __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

08-23-2010, 05:30 PM	#4
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	and what does this due to the whole Schrodinger's Cat thing... __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

08-23-2010, 05:09 PM	#3
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	Yeah, 2.2 litres worth

08-23-2010, 09:09 PM	#9
Captain Morgan Let's do another U-turn Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Moto: 2009 V-Strom Posts: 3,816	So wait, the dual split experiment basically says that something will act differently than normal if it is being observed? Well, no fucking shit! It really took a quantum physicist to figure that out?