quantum mechanics?

Question

Newton sugested that everything in the universe could be clculated and measured but didn't know anything about quantum mechanics. without this element of phisics do you think he would be right. does this theory explain everything we cant measure or predict.

Answer 1

Quantum mechanics gives the probabilities of things happening, but doesn't predict which of various possibilities will actually happen. This is quite different than in Newtonian mechanics. Based on the many, many observations that have been consistent with quantum mechanics, it is clear that QM is a part of our universe. So what you say 'without this element', you are leaving out too much.

Answer 2

Perhaps.

In spite of the current philosophical trend that science should replace religion, most scientists through history have never felt that way. Science has been a better way to understand the universe, including subjects involving philosophy and religion. Many scientists have had their view of the world affected as much by their own personal philosophy as by the science they've done.

This Stephen Hawking lecture (http://www.hawking.org.uk/lectures/lindex.html) talks about the debate over whether everything in the world that happens is predetermined or whether free will and chance have a role to play.

Newton, Pierre LaPlace, and Einstein all believed in determinism - that some initial condition was set up that predetermined everything that has happened and will happen in the universe.

Quantum mechanics kind of threw a wrench into that line of thinking (Einstein never liked that idea and felt it was an illusion - some base certainty had to exist, even if it was hidden from us).

I wouldn't say quantum mechanics explains everything we can't measure or predict, but it certainly tilts the picture away from the idea of a predetermined universe.

Answer 3

The only theory that explains everything is something known as the "M" theory, and that's hypothetical which means it doesn't exist yet. Also at the heart of quantum mechanics is the heisenburg uncertainty principle which states that to a certain extent not everything can be known. I strongly recommend the book The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. It talks about the incompatibility of Einsteins General Theory of Relativity and quantum mechanics and how they can be resolved with string theory.

Answer 4

I don't exactly understand this, as you worded it? Do you mean to ask; [with] this element of physics do you think he would be right?

Well he was right without it, it just required elaboration and continuation of the studies that his work started and it has now been proven in the last 50 years or so with the extension of Newtons work into mechanics, so what are you trying to ask? Did Newton fail per se? Or was he just incomplete under the limitations of his time and man's understanding? Im sure that if he lived another 100 years he would have figured it out and amended what was incomplete and what was wrong or missing.

Just like in the case of Galois where he scratched in the margins of his notebook "I have no time." Im sure Newton being ill and knowing he was fated to die, must have scrambled to bring his work to some form of compleation. I do believe he knew there was more to it.

The ends of it are still left open though because some things we have yet to be able to detect and calculate to measure them because they are too small.

I guess we wait on evolution to give us the next newton? What will be next? Strings? Things so small, they bring us back to the Om. nothingness as a substantial something? The origins of life and God perhaps?

We shall see....

F = ma.

Nature and Nature's laws
lay hid in night;
God said, Let Newton be!
and all was light.

Alexander Pope

Answer 5

hi Nuff; i in my view sense, with extremely no scientific information, that each and every determination we make every day promises an risk for an decision ( or parallel universe). I enroll in the Robert A. Heinlein theory, in all probability until now a while yet, a brilliant fiction author. attempt "The style of The Beast" or "Stranger In an marvelous Land"solid easy relaxing reads. yet time is a severe issue, and one i'm afraid I actual have very fixed notions upon. As i think God created it,and holds it until, as you should declare the time is solid, and guy ought to bypass forward in basic terms, residing each and every 2nd to the fullest, as there is no going returned. "The previous is historic previous, the destiny a secret, we are in a position to in basic terms stay in the now." yet to punch a hollow into an decision universe, will in all probability ensue sooner or later, what occurs subsequent? nicely which would be an entire distinctive universe returned. LOL have relaxing with this one! Bob

Answer 6

Newtonain mechanics represented the world of his day. They do not represent the world of Einstein or present day elementary physics. For you and I, who live in the Newtonian world of our everyday lives, his mechanics work splendidly. They keep planes in the air, bridges under our cars, and the Space Shuttle flying.

Answer 7

as shakespere wrote (sort of) "there are many things in heaven and earth, outside of Newton's philosophy"

Answer 8

its false. stupidity cannot be measeured. just look at all the stupid ppl who become politicians and presume to lead countries, etc.
and look at the mindless ppl on tv, cinemas, and the fools who watch them........