Category Archives: Quantum Theory

Q: What are Feynman diagrams, how are they used (theoretically & practically), and are there alternative/competing diagrams to Feynman’s?

Physicist: Feynman diagrams are primarily a way to keep track of what you’re doing.  Physicists aren’t geniuses or anything, and they get distracted pretty easily. When you’re trying to calculate the probability of a particular particle interaction you’ll find yourself … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Combinatorics, Equations, Particle Physics, Physics, Quantum Theory | 11 Comments

Relativity and Quantum Mechanics: the elevator pitch

Physicist: A woman on the subway, about two stations away from her stop, asked us “what are relativity and quantum mechanics?” So, this is a two-stop elevator pitch for the two most pivotal sciences since slicedbreadology. Relativity: Speed is just … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Quantum Theory, Relativity | 3 Comments

Q: How can electrons “jump” between places without covering the intervening distance?

Physicist: Frequently in quantum mechanics you’ll find that particles are restricted to only a certain set of states or locations, and yet somehow they can move from one to the next. It’s like moving between islands without crossing any water. … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Physics, Quantum Theory | 20 Comments

Quantum mech, choices, and time travel too!

Physicist: Recently I sent a series of emails back and forth with a reader that seem interesting enough to post. Conversations (near a chalkboard especially) are the best way to learn just about anything.   Q: I wake up at … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Philosophical, Physics, Quantum Theory | 6 Comments

Q: Will we ever overcome the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?

Physicist: Nopers! The Heisenberg uncertainty principle, while normally presented in physics circles, is actually a mathematical absolute.  So overcoming the uncertainty principle is exactly as hard as overcoming that whole “1+1=2” thing. The uncertainty principle (the “position/momentum uncertainty principle”) is … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Equations, Math, Physics, Probability, Quantum Theory | 24 Comments

Q: If gravity is the reaction matter has on space, in that it warps space, why do physicist’s look for a gravity particle? Wouldn’t gravity be just a bi-product of what matter does to space?

Physicist: Isn’t that weird? The name “quantum mechanics” comes from the fact that, at its most base, quantum mechanics requires all particles and energies to come in discrete (one might say “quantized”) packets.  At some point a bunch of physicists … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Particle Physics, Physics, Quantum Theory | 12 Comments