The determinism tag has no wiki summary.
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732 views
Is the universe fundamentally deterministic?
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question. I realise that this maybe a borderline philosophical question at this point in time, therefore feel free to close this question if you ...
7
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7answers
396 views
Why Quantum Mechanics as a non-fundamental effective theory?
My question: What (physical or mathematical) reasons (not philosophical) do some physicists ('t Hooft, Penrose, Smolin,...) argue/have in order to think that Quantum Mechanics could be substituted by ...
3
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2answers
152 views
Determinism, classical probabilities, and/or quantum mechanics?
[I]f you want a universe with certain very generic properties, you seem forced to one of three choices: (1) determinism, (2) classical probabilities, or (3) quantum mechanics. [My emphasis.]
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2
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4answers
195 views
How do we know that there isn't a classical solution to the measurement problem/Quantum Mechanical uncertainty?
It was mentioned to me that it can be shown that there is no classical explanation for the uncertainty in Quantum Mechanics -- i.e. that there are no hidden workings that we have just not yet seen, ...
5
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2answers
134 views
Bell's Theorem graph
My friends and I got into an argument about determinism, and I brought up that quantum events are random. But I couldn't prove it.
I found the Wikipedia page on Bell's theorem, which seems to imply ...
15
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5answers
274 views
Does the mass point move?
There is a question regarding basic physical understanding. Assume you have a mass point (or just a ball if you like) that is constrained on a line. You know that at $t=0$ its position is $0$, i.e., ...
3
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4answers
185 views
Are photons deterministic?
I propose the following scenario:
At $t=0$, a photon is emitted from a star. At $t=n$, said photon is received and interpreted by some detector.
My question is whether or not it is accurate to say ...
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2answers
91 views
Argument against computer consciousness [closed]
Imagine that we have a computer program that produces the conscious awareness of the present moment.
Let us assume that every time the program is run a counter is incremented.
Let us also assume ...
13
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3answers
373 views
Does quantum computing rely on particular interpretations of quantum mechanics?
It is my understanding that quantum computing relies on quantum superposition and entanglement to work--qbits must exist in all states simultaneously before giving a particular result when observed.
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1
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2answers
141 views
Is the movement of electrons truly random?
The result of rolling dice is considered pseudo-random because it depends on an almost endless list of factors (how you roll it, the terrain it lands on, etc.), but it is not TRULY random. Is the ...
1
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1answer
91 views
reversible cellular automata
Let's suppose a cellular automaton has a value $b(r,t)$ belongs to $Q$ at site $r$ and time $t$, where $Q$ is the set of possible states at each site. Let $N(r, t)$ be the values of the states of all ...
0
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2answers
126 views
What are hidden variables exactly?
What are hidden variables in quantum mechanics? I am aware there are many types but what exactly do they mean or even "do" exactly?
Do they mean that the quantum indeterminacy becomes hidden but ...
3
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3answers
190 views
Are quantum mechanics and determinism actually irreconcilable? [closed]
As a preface, I am not a physicist. I'm simply interested in abstract physics and fundamental principles of the universe and such. As such, if you can provide an answer for the layman (as ...
4
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2answers
113 views
Can we write down a dynamical law of physics which is totally non-deterministic?
In classical mechanics, $F=ma$ tells us how to evolve a system at time $t=t_0$ to $t=t_0+dt$.
In quantum mechanics, the Schrodinger equation gives us a similar recipe.
These equations are, in a ...
8
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4answers
560 views
Does the future already exist? If so, which one?
In the NOVA Fabric of the Cosmos program, Brian Greene explains a theory in which there is no "now", or more specifically, now is relative. He describes an alien riding a bicycle on a far off planet ...
2
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2answers
266 views
Is 't Hooft's Determinism based on the holographic principle?
Does 't Hooft's determinism work need the holographic principle in order to work or is it just an extension of his work?
0
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1answer
212 views
Quantum superposition and fate
First of all, sorry for my knowledge of physics. Maybe my question is too obvious but I want to ask it.
I am thinking about fate and if it exist or no.
According to my assumption if I take any ...
4
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3answers
386 views
How does Bell's theorem rule out the possibility of local hidden variables?
It seems to be common consensus that the world is non-deterministic and this is proved by Bell's theorem.
But even though Bell's experiments proved that the theory of quantum mechanics work, How does ...
6
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1answer
291 views
What are the 't Hooft papers about classical models underlying QM?
Gerard 't Hooft states in his webpage
I have mathematically sound equations that show how classical models generate quantum mechanics.
and there are some interesting discussions here in ...
2
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1answer
84 views
Basic question about probability and measurements
Say I have a Galton box, i.e. a ball dropping on a row of solid bodies. Now I want to calculate the probability distribution of the movement of the ball based on the properties of the body (case A). ...
3
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2answers
240 views
How would we perceive time going backwards?
I haven't taken Physics in University. Lately, I've been reading about some of the branches of physics through Wikipedia. I read several times that many of the theoretical models do not explain why ...
3
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1answer
183 views
In QM, does random data “come from anywhere”? Also, what are the properties of the data?
I have only taken a basic quantum mechanics course (this book, so you know where I'm coming from), but I've been wondering about something.
If we set up a quantum system in a known state and take a ...
4
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4answers
188 views
Are a quantum mechanical system a chaotic (yet deterministic) system?
The title is slightly misleading. I really want to know if the randomness and probabilities observed in quantum mechanics is really just the result of a chaotic (yet deterministic) system.
If it is ...
1
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3answers
89 views
Reference for the predictability of rigid body dynamics
I'm looking for a reference, journal article, paper, etc. that supports the idea that classical mechanics, in particular rigid body dynamics, is largely predictable.
A view coming from the background ...
9
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2answers
861 views
Norton's dome and its equation
Norton's dome is the curve $$h(r) = -\frac{2}{3g} r ^{3/2}.$$ Where $h$ is the height and $r$ is radial arc distance along the dome. The top of the dome is at $h = 0$.
Via Norton's web.
If we put ...
4
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0answers
327 views
Is there any simple quantum model by Gerard 't Hooft which can explain the double slit experiment?
This question is directed to Prof. 't Hooft and anybody who is familiar with his papers. It is a reaction to Prof. 't Hooft's question why nobody is excited about his classical models for quantum ...
4
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0answers
100 views
Is it possible to reproduce the energy spectrum of quantum chaos using classical cellular automata?
Is it possible to reproduce the energy spectrum of quantum chaos using classical cellular automata? It's hardly impressive to reproduce harmonic oscillators.
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7answers
5k views
Why do people categorically dismiss some simple quantum models?
Deterministic models. Clarification of the question:
The problem with these blogs is that people are inclined to start yelling at each other (I admit, I got infected and it's difficult not to raise ...
18
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1answer
1k views
In 't Hooft beable models, do measurements keep states classical?
This is a questions on 't Hooft's beable models (see here: Discreteness and Determinism in Superstrings?) for quantum mechanics, and the goal is to understand to what extent these succeed in ...
1
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4answers
518 views
Can superdeterminism resolve contextuality, entanglement and Shor's algorithm in quantum mechanics?
Superdeterminism is the idea that the apparent freedom for the choice of experimental apparatuses and their settings are nothing but an illusion. Contextuality is the dependence of the properties of a ...
0
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0answers
44 views
Which subject matter for those experiment is on that help Bohr win over the Einstein-Bohr debate? [closed]
Which subject matter for those experiment is on that help Bohr win over the Einstein-Bohr debate?
List the name of those experiment and categorize them by subject please, if time is available please ...
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0answers
157 views
Cellular automata rules for quantum mechanics
My limited understanding of quantum theory is that a quantum system is completely described by its wave function, which deterministically evolves according to Schrödinger's equation until wave ...
5
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3answers
321 views
What is happening over the 15 minutes it takes a neutron to decay?
I've read that free neutrons decay into a proton, electron and neutrino with an average lifespan of about 15 minutes. Is there anything physically different about a neutron that has existed for 14 ...
9
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4answers
627 views
Can quantum mechanics really be the same as underlying deterministic theory?
I am perplexed by recent papers by 't Hooft giving an explicit construction for an underlying deterministic theory based on integers that is indistinguishable from quantum mechanics at experimentally ...
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10answers
5k views
Discreteness and Determinism in Superstrings?
So Gerard 't Hooft has a brand new paper (thanks to Mitchell Porter for making me aware of it) so this is somewhat of a expansion to the question I posed on this site a month or so ago regarding 't ...
11
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5answers
2k views
Why do people rule out local hidden variables?
I bet the automatic response to my question would be "Bells Theorem" and of course I am not disputing Bells proof, I am however uncertain of one of his assumptions.
The so called "no conspiracy" ...
5
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3answers
664 views
Can randomness exist?
Considering every cause has an action, how can anything be random? For something to happen, it must have a cause and through that definition it can't be random.
Considering this why are many quantum ...
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2answers
472 views
If randomness doesn't exist, how come the universe isn't a perfect sphere with predictable distribution of matter?
I'm presuming that the scientific community pretty much agrees that randomness doesn't exits, and that everything has a cause. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I've heard of quantum mechanics, but as ...
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3answers
253 views
Power laws and deterministic systems
I am facing the following question. It is well known that power laws arise in many situations in nature. They arise even in thats physical systems that are completely deterministic (e.g. sand piles). ...
4
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1answer
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Event-by-Event Simulation of Quantum Phenomena
I just recently stumbled over
http://rugth30.phys.rug.nl/dlm/
and
http://www.sbfisica.org.br/bjp/files/v38_26.pdf
As the title suggests these are presentations of mathematical models capable of ...
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4answers
509 views
Does the “Andromeda Paradox” (Rietdijk–Putnam-Penrose) imply a completely deterministic universe?
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rietdijk–Putnam_argument
Abstract of 1966 Rietdijk paper:
A proof is given that there does not exist an event, that is not already in the past for ...
3
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2answers
449 views
Can cellular automata be reconcilied with quantum mechanics?
CAs are deterministic representations of the universe, which, according to the Bell's inequality are not entirely accurate. Cells interact "locally" (only with the closest neighbours), while quantum ...
2
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4answers
317 views
How can indeterminacy in quantum mechanics be derived from lack of ability to observe a cause?
I don't get this part of quantum mechanics.
I get the part that you can't observe particles and not affect their behavior because you are shooting photons to them while you are observing them, but ...
3
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2answers
178 views
Why doesn't phase space contain acceleration/forces?
I'm watching some Physics lectures on the internet by Leonard Susskind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyX8kQ-JzHI&feature=BFa&list=PL189C0DCE90CB6D81&lf=plpp_video
In this lecture, and ...
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5answers
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Deterministic quantum mechanics
I came across a very recent paper by Gerard 't Hooft
The abstract says:
It is often claimed that the collapse of the wave function and Born's rule to interpret the square of the norm as a ...
13
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5answers
786 views
What combinations of realism, non-locality, and contextuality are ruled out in quantum theory?
Bell's inequality theorem, along with experimental evidence, shows that we cannot have both realism and locality. While I don't fully understand it, Leggett's inequality takes this a step further and ...
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4answers
631 views
By what mechanism do quantum effects become observable in normal life at the macroscopic level?
By what mechanism do quantum effects become observable in normal life at the macroscopic level? For instance, when two molecules "collide" is the momentum a probabilistic event wherein the end state ...
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2answers
322 views
Chaos and quantum physics: How many ways can a bonfire burn?
I'm interested in the extent to which quantum physical effects are seen at a macroscopic level. I might get some of the physics wrong, but I think I'll get it close enough that I can ask the ...
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4answers
1k views
Chaos theory and determinism
My professor in class went a little over chaos theory, and basically said that Newtonian determinism no longer applies, since as time goes to infinity, no matter how close together two initial points ...
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4answers
1k views
Is Stephen Wolfram's NKS, an attempt to explain the universe with cellular automata, in conflict with Bell's Theorem?
Stephen Wolfram's A New Kind of Science (NKS) hit the bookstores in 2002 with maximum hype.
His thesis is that the laws of physics can be generated by various cellular automata--simple programs ...
