why are quantum theory and relativity incompatible?

Question

i don't remember much about this, but i have the idea that one describes the micro and the other the macro end of the universe. but i also remember hearing that the 2 theories fundamentally disagree with each other. given that the universe is (perhaps) a single whole, how can this be?

Answer 1

This controversy has its roots that go deeper than objective scientific exploration of the both macro or micro dimensions of the world. The reason that these two important theories locked into a head to head controversy is in fact in the speculative thinking, or wishful thinking, that are behind and beyond what can be proved scientifically.

Albert Einstein defended his theory of relativity not merely to prove that it is scientifically tenable but for the reason that his approach can be fundamental to solving the ultimate riddle of the universe and the creation of the universe. He believed that there is a purpose or design behind everything in creation that can rationally be explored and explained. As he very famously said - God does not play dice.

The quantum theory on he other hand is based upon uncertainly principle. That states that at the heart of each atom uncertainty lurks and it is impossible to predict the position of any electrons or any sub atomic particle at a given time. The events at a subatomic level are as random as they are unpredictable. Therefore since the entire universe is made up of atoms the entire universe has evolved not according to a fixed understandable plan but entirely randomly, and so it will in the future.
These arguments are against the basic thinking behind the thinking of Albert Einstein who believed that through scientific enquiry man can find God - the chief architect and the commander of the universe.

Answer 2

Special relativity and quantum mechanics have been very successfully itegrated into quantum electrodynamics. This theory is the basis of much of our understanding of the universe, and is the basis for understanding even the semiconductors that make up your pc.

General relativity is more problematic. The reason is very simple. General relativity is a smooth theory - it predicts the same behaviour right down to the very smallest scales. Quantum mechanics is not at all smooth - it predicts granularity of mass, energy, pretty much every physical property at the smallest level.

Normally, this simply does not matter, because gravity is a entirely negligible force over small distances. However, when the effect of gravity becomes very large over very small distances this causes a huge problem. This is precisely what happened at the origin of the universe, and of course within black holes.

Answer 3

i won't be able to answer for extremes as in black holes, yet usually i think of it is not plenty that they are incompatible or in opposition, it quite is they have diverse underlying principals. all the different classical forces and fields (and each thing) have grew to become out to be finally approximations of debris that are Quantum Mechanical in nature. And yet gravity continues to be a macroscopic bending of area. i think what physicists choose is a particle which would be taken care of like all different, yet which has QM homes such that it approximates to GR on the super scale. because it quite is, the popular sort is a single equation which "explains" each and every thing interior the universe from the particle point upwards. different than for gravity, which isn't stated, and which we then ought to account for one after the other. i assume it might additionally make know-how black holes and the early universe much less complicated if there became a suited quantum theory of gravity.

Answer 4

They are incompatible because relativity is a Capricorn, and quantum theory is an Aries. It's just never going to work, man.

Answer 5

QM and relativity ARE compatible, if you mean Special Relativity. Not only compatible, but they are a fully functional set, allowing the most precise predictions in science. What is difficult to combine is QM and general relativity (i.e. theory of grvitation). This is still not developed with a lot of possible directions to go, fancy theories, guesses and partial answers.

Answer 6

Look this is very deep subject but I can tell you that quantum theory is for very small energy calculations like
e=hf e=energy, h=plank constant, f=frequency
And relativity is applicable to large things like
e=mc^2
Both theories gives idea about energy but the there application requires a sense. both things are not exactly opposes each other but are parallel to each other. deep study will give you exact idea about importance of both theories.