2933: Elementary Physics Paths

|< < Prev Comic #2933 (May 15, 2024)

Elementary Physics Paths

Title text: ==COSMOLOGY==> 'Uhhh ... how sure are we that everything is made of these?'

Explanation

This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect: Created by a VERY NOT SIMPLE PARTICLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon. If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks.

This comic explores the complexities of understanding the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

The absurdity of understanding everything starting from just understanding basic particles is similar to the fallacy presented in 1570: Engineer Syllogism. Quantum physics, as shown in the comic, makes what at first glance are “simple” particles very complicated.

In the first panel, Cueball expresses the idea that if he understands the behavior of tiny particles, he'll understand everything. This reflects a common scientific pursuit to uncover the basic principles underlying all physical phenomena.

The concepts of reductionism and then antireductionism (or holism) are demonstrated by following the left causal path using a 'traditional' physical approach. This is shown in everyday life, from things like a baseball curving through the air, to how a mirror reflects light.

However, the comic then splits into two branches representing different fields of physics: condensed matter physics and quantum field theory.

In the Condensed Matter Physics branch, Cueball encounters a cloud of particles, which symbolizes the complexity that arises when simple particles combine to produce complex behaviors. This highlights the challenge of predicting macroscopic properties from microscopic interactions, a central theme in condensed matter physics.

In the Quantum Field Theory branch, Cueball is faced with the realization that particles at the quantum level aren't as simple as initially thought. Quantum Field Theory deals with the fundamental particles and forces of nature, and it describes a complex world where particles can behave as both waves and particles simultaneously, among other strange phenomena.

Some other examples of problems in Quantum Field Theory are that particles never stop moving, they can sometimes pass through "unpassable" barriers, you can never know the spin and position of them at the same time, and everything is governed by probability. One famous example of this is Schrödinger's cat. Schrödinger's cat is a mind experiment where a cat is placed in a box along with a radioactive sample. Also inside is a Geiger counter connected to a poison. The radioactive sample has a 50/50 chance of decaying, therefor setting off the Geiger counter, releasing the poison and killing the cat. Schrödinger points out that according to Quantum Field Theory, the cat is neither dead nor alive, it's instead in a superposition of being both dead and alive.

It is noted that Schrödinger was arguing against Quantum Field Theory, stating it a 'quite ridiculous case'. However, because of the complexity of the scenario, many people believed he was added to Quantum Theory instead of denying it.

The title text creates an ASCII depiction of the arrows used in the comic image, adding another layer by introducing the field of cosmology, which deals with the large-scale structure and history of the universe. It humorously suggests that even our understanding of the most fundamental particles might not be as certain as we think - perhaps an allusion to theorized phenomena like dark matter and dark energy - raising questions about the nature of existence itself.

Overall, the comic illustrates the challenges and complexities inherent in trying to understand the fundamental nature of reality.

Transcript

[Cueball gestures at a particle, represented as a dot with motion lines around it.]

Cueball: Everything is made of tiny particles. If I understand those, I'll understand everything!

[The comic splits into two branches.]

[Condensed Matter Physics branch]

[Cueball is fretting over a cloud of particles.]

Cueball: Oh no.

Cueball: Simple particles can combine to produce complex behaviors.

[Quantum Field Theory branch]

[Cueball is fretting over the same particle as in the first panel.]

Cueball: Oh no.

Cueball: These particles aren't simple!

 add a comment! ⋅  add a topic (use sparingly)! ⋅  refresh comments!

Discussion

First comment, heh. Psychoticpotato (talk) 20:27, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

See also 1258: First. --162.158.159.7 23:21, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

I assume the cosmology comment from the alt text is related to the speculative nature of dark matter and dark energy, but I am too ignorant of of cosmology to know if there is something more specific being referenced.172.69.23.203 22:27, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

I think its more jokinly questioning the knowlege of the cosmos, saying "space is big, so are we 100% that EVERYTHING is made of these complicated little things, or just the parts we can see?" Apollo11 (talk) 00:26, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

I thought it was a reference to the incompatibility of the leading cosmological theory (Relativity) with Quantum theory. 172.68.210.117 02:49, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

Am I the only one where it seems like the explanation was written by an AI? It seems like obvious things are left out, like the presence of dark matter in astronomy, or saying “quantum physics” instead of “quantum field theory”. It’s like in some areas it could be convincingly explaining without knowing, a little like chatgpt does. However, I’m thinking a lot of the explanations are like that and I’ve probably participated in it myself … 172.68.23.215 00:46, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

The reason we're using "Quantum Theory" (at least my reason) is because thats what the comic used Apollo11 (talk) 00:59, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

According to the Copenhagen Interpretation, it's not determined whether a physicist studies Condensed Matter or Quantum Field Theory until we open his box. Doctorhook (talk) 02:45, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

you guys really need to solve your chatgpt problem --172.70.143.28 03:59, 16 May 2024 (UTC)