The Dr. Quantum Double-Slit Experiment [Physics can be Wonderous] - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jetée · 08-05-2007, 04:44 AM

If you feel like learning something educational (and cool), click.

Matter or Waves?

troit · 08-06-2007, 12:06 AM

The cool thing about physics is that moment when you go "So that's why it does that...."

albania · 08-06-2007, 04:52 AM

You can also get a single slit interference pattern, they didn't mention that in the video. Anyway, the question of particle or wave duality is somewhat of a moot point in my opinion. We have a set of laws and equations to describe the quantum world, and it happens to be one of the most accurate theories man has ever created. What this tells us is that at the smallest distances probability and uncertainty govern. Questioning whether objects in the quantum world have to imitate macro world characteristics of being easily quantifiable into either matter or waves seems like a superfluous task.

Edit:

I almost forgot to mention there is a set of videos by the great Feynman that deals in part with some of the issues discussed above, and the quantum world in general. They can be found here http://vega.org.uk/video/subseries/8 . I don't believe he deals directly with the double slit experiment, but I do recall him talking about thin film interference(don't know if he called it that) which is really almost the same thing.

elaphe · 08-09-2007, 09:50 PM

This reminds me of an article I read in Scientific American about a similar experiment. Instead of electrons, the experimenter used the light from a star millions of light years away. As the light entered the single slit, it behaved like a particle. Double slit, a wave. When the apparatus were side by side, the single slit had light behaving like a particle, the double a wave. How did that ancient light know what kind of behaviour it was going to manifest millions of years prior to the experiment even existing?

It is the observer that shapes the results. Kinda like the tree falling in the forest. Does it make a sound if no one is there to hear it?

Maybe the imagination really does create reality.

Was the big bang just someone's idea of a good time?

08-05-2007, 04:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jetée The Reforms Location: Rarely, if ever, here or there, but always in transition	The Dr. Quantum Double-Slit Experiment [Physics can be Wonderous] If you feel like learning something educational (and cool), click. Matter or Waves? __________________ As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves. —Mohandas K. Gandhi

08-06-2007, 12:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
troit Transfer Agent Location: NYC	The cool thing about physics is that moment when you go "So that's why it does that...." __________________ I've yet to dephile myself...

08-06-2007, 04:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
albania Psycho	You can also get a single slit interference pattern, they didn't mention that in the video. Anyway, the question of particle or wave duality is somewhat of a moot point in my opinion. We have a set of laws and equations to describe the quantum world, and it happens to be one of the most accurate theories man has ever created. What this tells us is that at the smallest distances probability and uncertainty govern. Questioning whether objects in the quantum world have to imitate macro world characteristics of being easily quantifiable into either matter or waves seems like a superfluous task. Edit: I almost forgot to mention there is a set of videos by the great Feynman that deals in part with some of the issues discussed above, and the quantum world in general. They can be found here http://vega.org.uk/video/subseries/8 . I don't believe he deals directly with the double slit experiment, but I do recall him talking about thin film interference(don't know if he called it that) which is really almost the same thing. Last edited by albania; 08-06-2007 at 05:09 AM..

08-09-2007, 09:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
elaphe Tilted Location: British Columbia, Canada	This reminds me of an article I read in Scientific American about a similar experiment. Instead of electrons, the experimenter used the light from a star millions of light years away. As the light entered the single slit, it behaved like a particle. Double slit, a wave. When the apparatus were side by side, the single slit had light behaving like a particle, the double a wave. How did that ancient light know what kind of behaviour it was going to manifest millions of years prior to the experiment even existing? It is the observer that shapes the results. Kinda like the tree falling in the forest. Does it make a sound if no one is there to hear it? Maybe the imagination really does create reality. Was the big bang just someone's idea of a good time? __________________ "Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.