2007-07-23 03:11:41 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The quantum theory gives a description of nature at small scales which seems extraordinarily weird. So weird, in fact, that Richard Feynman ( physics Nobel laureate for his work on quantum electrodynamics) once said that anyone who actually claims they understand it, doesn't really understand it!
Nevertheless (and entirely contrary to your claim) the irrefutable fact is that the quantum theory has been experimentally verified in countless of its predictions to a degree of accuracy higher than any other theory in all of science! If you don't "buy into" quantum physics, to be consistent, you should then neither "buy into" any of science at all.
Note Added: Despite its unprecedented experimental success, my own gut feeling is that the quantum theory must in some way be incomplete, at least in its interpretation. (And this feeling is not motivated by a desire to make the theory less weird, but rather just the opposite. I think as the full implications of the quantum theory emerge, it will be realized that it is even weirder than we first supposed.)
This in no way detracts from its success and value as a scientific theory, of course. Such is the nature of science.
2007-07-23 04:19:08 · answer #1 · answered by ontheroad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People buy into all sorts of things for a variety of reasons. Primarily, we accept something without proof out of evolved trust. Some might buy into quantum mechanics because they have decidedly trusted the scientific community due to the track record of its clear products of accomplishments. Some might buy into a bible story because they trust the entire book because they are convinced by a great deal of it.
Quantum physics as nonsense is hard to accept as a scientist. However, there are always anomalies and incomplete understandings to any scientific theory. Are those aspects bought into and accepted? Not really. That is the crux of science, to test a variety of explanations. That is why the scientific community has not bought into string theory. It certainly is being studied though.
2007-07-23 10:20:31 · answer #2 · answered by jcsuperstar714 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Einstein once said quantum physics was 'nonsense', until he realised how his calculations wouldn't work unless he used some parts of quantum theory.
Just because you don't understand the intrinsically complex mathematical proofs and physical evidence for it does not make a whole branch of Physics obsolete.
A simple example of quantum behaviour is the photoelectric effect - where light exhibits both wave and particle duality. The particle nature goes hand in hand with the quantisation of energy needed to liberate a photoelectron.
2007-07-23 10:23:46 · answer #3 · answered by Tsumego 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Much of quantum physics is referred to as theoretical because it can only be proven mathematically and not through experimentation. It's like saying 5+5=10 instead of taking 2 groups of 5 and putting them together then counting them to find the answer is 10. Either way the answer is 10.
2007-07-23 10:56:48 · answer #4 · answered by dcfritz1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science does not involve proving things. Period.
Quantum mechanics explains a broad range of phenomena...makes predictions that scientists can verify through experimentation.
Newtonian mechanics does the same thing only it cannot explain or predict nearly as many things as quantum mechanics.
If you don't "buy into" quantum physics, what do you offer to explain the operation of lasers, microchips, superconductors, etc.?
2007-07-23 11:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by Ethan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It isn't nonsense. All experimental data so far shows that it is true, as far as it goes. No scientist will ever tell you that Quantum Physics is 100% complete. Likewise, Newton's Laws were incomplete, but they were true as far as they went.
I think another person was right. I think you don't understand the ideas put forth by Quantum Physics.
2007-07-23 10:47:13 · answer #6 · answered by silverlock1974 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This video is a very good five minute explanation of the quantum world for the layman.
2007-07-23 11:08:37 · answer #7 · answered by eric henderson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, science does not deal in proofs. Proofs are for mathematicians and moonshiners.
Science works with experimental observations leading to theories. Theories are never proven. Theories make predictions of future observations. All theories are tentative in that they are contingent upon their being able to explain future observations i.e. theories can be falsified.
Quantum theory makes many bold predictions that have been verified countless times. Currently, it is the best explanation for these observations.
2007-07-23 10:19:37 · answer #8 · answered by gebobs 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They don't.
Physcists buy into moron Hollywood writeups
about grapefuit universes.
Mathematicians buy into even more moronic
behaviourist rat crap about brown holes.
Chemists buy anything that Wal-Mart
has on sale.
2007-07-23 11:31:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
theres actually quite a bit of proof...its just that you probably don't understand any of it
2007-07-23 10:15:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋