com.ple.men.tar.i.ty [kom-pluh-men-tar-i-tee]
The concept that the underlying properties of entities (especially subatomic particles) may manifest themselves in contradictory forms at different times, depending on the conditions of observation; thus, any physical model of an entity exclusively in terms of one form or the other will be necessarily incomplete. For example, although a unified quantum mechanical understanding of such phenomena as light has been developed, light sometimes exhibits properties of waves and sometimes properties of particles (an example of wave-particle duality). See also uncertainty principle.
"complementarity." The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company. 31 Jan. 2007. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/complementarity
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Physicist's Reaction...
The aforementioned experiments dealt with quantum-entangled particles.
“Since all quanta have interacted with one another in a single quantum state and since there is no limit to the number of particles that could interact in a single quantum state, the universe on a very basic level could be a “single” quantum system that responds together for further interactions.”
Robert Nadeau and Menas Kafatos, The Non-Local Universe: The New Physics and Matters of the Mind (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), pp. 178-179.
“Each atom turns out to be nothing but the potentialities in the behavior pattern of others. What we find, therefore, are not elementary space-time realities, but rather a web of relationships in which no part can stand alone; every part derives its meaning and existence only from its place within the whole.”
Henry P. Stapp, “Quantum Theory and the Physicist’s Conception of Nature: Philosophical Implications of Bell’s Theorem,” in ibid., p. 54.
“Since all quanta have interacted with one another in a single quantum state and since there is no limit to the number of particles that could interact in a single quantum state, the universe on a very basic level could be a “single” quantum system that responds together for further interactions.”
Robert Nadeau and Menas Kafatos, The Non-Local Universe: The New Physics and Matters of the Mind (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), pp. 178-179.
“Each atom turns out to be nothing but the potentialities in the behavior pattern of others. What we find, therefore, are not elementary space-time realities, but rather a web of relationships in which no part can stand alone; every part derives its meaning and existence only from its place within the whole.”
Henry P. Stapp, “Quantum Theory and the Physicist’s Conception of Nature: Philosophical Implications of Bell’s Theorem,” in ibid., p. 54.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Spooky Action at a Distance…
In the early 20th century, two notable physicists held opposing views. According to Albert Einstein’s theory of special relativity, the speed of light imposed a limit on information propagating within the universe. Yet it seemed under special conditions within quantum indeterminacy, as supported by Niels Bohr, that the limit didn’t hold. Einstein coined this special situation as “spooky action at a distance”.
Finally, late in the 20th century, technology improved to the point where the issue could be put to the test. In a series of experiments, most notably the Aspect experiment, it was determined that two particles could “communicate”, though separated by space, in no time. Thus supporting Bohr and the indeterminacy principle of quantum mechanics.
Finally, late in the 20th century, technology improved to the point where the issue could be put to the test. In a series of experiments, most notably the Aspect experiment, it was determined that two particles could “communicate”, though separated by space, in no time. Thus supporting Bohr and the indeterminacy principle of quantum mechanics.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
What if...
What if you were a city. And in that city were many buildings, some large, some small. Each building itself representing another’s similar city. Some more significant to you than others. But all are there. In fact, upon opening the door to one of the buildings in “your” city, you actually appear in that other city. Note, I didn’t say are “transported” to that other city… for you have traveled no distance. You are just there. Ok, not “you”, for remember you yourself are a city, but an aspect of you.
That is Interpenetration.
And I’m not talking Philosophy, but rather Physics.
That is Interpenetration.
And I’m not talking Philosophy, but rather Physics.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Beginnings...
in·ter·pen·e·trate [in-ter-pen-i-treyt]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to penetrate thoroughly; permeate.
2.
to penetrate with (something else) mutually or reciprocally.
–verb (used without object)
3.
to penetrate between things or parts.
4.
to penetrate each other.
"interpenetrate." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 27 Jan. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/interpenetrate>
–verb (used with object)
1.
to penetrate thoroughly; permeate.
2.
to penetrate with (something else) mutually or reciprocally.
–verb (used without object)
3.
to penetrate between things or parts.
4.
to penetrate each other.
"interpenetrate." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 27 Jan. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/interpenetrate>
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