Waves and Particles

Waves and Particles

Let’s now explore one of the most fundamental principles of the Universe.

Many scientists, when studying the behavior of sub-atomic particles, such as an electron, are intrigued by the results because an electron has an element of uncertainty.

For example, if we try to locate the position of an electron, or its particle aspect, we lose the information about its momentum, or its wave aspect. On the other hand, if we measure its speed, its position becomes indeterminate.

Both momentum and position exist when we make the observation, but we cannot determine both at the same time, only their probabilities.

It is the famous Heisemberg Uncertainty Principle.

We can say that the observer affects the behavior of the observed and the observed is aware of the observation.

Let’s illustrate the wave/particle duality with some down to earth examples.

Imagine driving to work using the same route for many years. But today you noticed for the first time a house that was built 50 years ago, on the corner of a street that you have passed by many times before.

What happened to you and to the house?

Many things.

First, your simple observation brought the house into your perception of reality, or, by putting your attention on it you made the house real for you.

Before your observation, you were not aware of the house, but it existed as a wave function in your Universe.

The moment you put your attention on it, you gave the house a precise location on your space-time, and it became a particle and its wave function collapsed for you.

And perhaps the next time you pass this house, you’ll pay more attention to it because you have acknowledged it in your Universe.

When you buy a new car don’t you start noticing the same make all over the place? People say when they have a baby they start noticing babies everywhere.

In quantum physics lingo we say that the observer collapsed the wave function!

This is a fundamental principle in my work.