Quantum mechanics - The measurement problem

Also watch:

What the bleep do we know? Down the rabbit hole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSk51Lp-vHU

Most people (most physics as well), know something about quantum physics. But we seem to completely ignore the philosophical implications it has.

The measurement problem in quantum mechanics is the unresolved problem of how (or if) wavefunction collapse occurs. The inability to observe this process directly has given rise to different interpretations of quantum mechanics, and poses a key set of questions that each interpretation must answer. The wavefunction in quantum mechanics evolves according to the Schrödinger equation into a linear superposition of different states, but actual measurements always find the physical system in a definite state. Any future evolution is based on the state the system was discovered to be in when the measurement was made, meaning that the measurement "did something" to the process under examination.

So we dont know what is, when we dont measure it.

Lets take a new viewpoint.

By the nature of physics we have to say that what we can measure is what we can know. If we cant measure it, no matter how amazing our equipment is, we have to say that it is an abstraction. A theory. Right?

What is given by the normalized wavefunction is the probability distribution in space, of finding the particle. The probability is not a physical substance. It is a mathematical concept, a thought - right? So we have an abstraction (probability) before we measure, but afterwards, the wavefunction is collapsed (gone), and we have the real physical particle somewhere. Now the question is - what is the reality that creates the probability distribution as it is before we measure it? And the answer that quantum mechanics give us - it is unknowable by definition!

Ultimately it means, that reality steps out of the unknown. That the truth behind it all is forever hidden behind abstractions. Behind thoughts.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili describes the measurement problem breafly, in the video called: Atom BBC Clash of the Titans. You can find it on this channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRM6QVrs_Kg&feature=PlayList&p=B55DC99...

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Quantum
• mechanics
• physics
• measurement
• problem

[BroBroDude]

This video is outrageously misleading for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it cites David Bohm speaking ABOUT relativity theory/the Copenhagen interpretation/quantum mechanics.

David Bohm famously resolved these very "problems" with the quantum mechanical problem of superpositioning and observation-dependence. Google Bohmian Mechanics.

This video is absolute, intentionally dishonest shit. It misrepresents the state of the science COMPLETELY.

[martiangrundy]

Fuckin cobblers.

Man I really hate it when they intentionally misrepresent things in order to turn it into semi religious claptrap. Hinting that were the most important things in the universe again. Arrogant ego-centrist shite.

I'm surprised we didn't get Deepak fuckin Chopra spoutin' some bullshit at the end there.

[MisterBouncyBounce]

i hate this kinds of videos, they talk and talk and talk and say nothing at all. it's like idiots trying to convince morons they are smart.

[juggalobone94]

@BroBroDude dude stfu bitch your not smarter than a quantum mechanic so eat pubes and hug a nut bitch

[goodmmann123]

Omar only exist when you smell him. He stinks. Just like u

[hobstweedle123]

only thing i dont understand is when he says "atoms are all over the place until one is observed" how would anyone know this because the only time we see atoms is when we observe them? someone please explain

[str8footage]

bro bro dude dnt knw wat hes talkn abt they all got there phd wat do u have

[sexyeur]

@Aron51869 You would be right not to dismiss demonic activity. but you're too stupid to know you shouldn't laugh at it. Should you really discount evil only bc you can't put it in a beaker? Perhaps you won't mind a known brutal rapist spending a few nights with your wife then, eh? Can you imagine how stupid you'd pretend to be? An arrogant ass like you could be dismissive of love itself as most understand it, merely by trivializing it as some 'household' chemical reaction. Sick!

[ojideagu]

@martiangrundy All "conscious" life is very important. Humans and every other "conscious" life form in the universe is vital to the Universe's current observed state.

We are the consciousness of the universe. The universe in THIS state is self aware because of conscious life like Humans. There are other states were a universe is not self aware.

[KayBeeEee1983]

How do we know an atom is "spread out all over the place" if no one is observing it?

[julzberg]

@BroBroDude Never, I repeat NEVER TAKE ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WITH THE WORDS BRO OR DUDE IN THEIR DISPLAY NAME.