Quantum Theories: Are Distance and Time Truly Quantized?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phred101.2
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Entropy Time
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of time and distance in the context of quantum theories, specifically questioning whether these quantities are quantized. The original poster introduces the idea that if time has fundamental units, distance might also possess similar quanta.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between time and distance, questioning the assumptions behind the quantization of these quantities. There is a discussion about the nature of time as an artefact of measurement and its implications for distance.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the foundational assumptions of the original poster's claims. Some express skepticism about the nature of time and distance, while others seek clarification on related concepts like tachyons.

Contextual Notes

There is a suggestion that the discussion may not align with the forum's guidelines due to its speculative nature. Participants are navigating the boundaries of theoretical physics and personal interpretations of fundamental concepts.

Phred101.2
Messages
138
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



If time is a real quantity and has fundamental units (quanta), shouldn't distance (a real quantity) also have quanta? (I know there are some quantum theories that model quantised distance.)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Time is imaginary and so is distance (neither have any "real" value but have imaginary value).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, firstly, this isn't a homework question is it? Where does your assumption come from that time is quantised?
 
What's a tachyon?
 
And no, this is a speculation I'm trying to deal with. Time must be an artefact of measurement, and this opens up the question whether distance can also be considered this way. Energy and mass are "real" things, but time (the "flow" of energy), and distance (an effect of mass separation), are artefacts of how we perceive the two, and have no existence, no external reality, like mass/energy do. Any ideas?
 
Phred101.2 said:
What's a tachyon?
A tachyon is a hypothetical particle that moves faster than the speed of light.

Phred101.2 said:
And no, this is a speculation I'm trying to deal with.
That comment is enough to suggest to me that this discussion will not satisfy the forum guidelines: check out the "rules" button on the top toolbar.
 
No worries...
 

Similar threads

Are All Aspects of Quantum Mechanics Real or Imaginary?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Transverse velocity and real/imaginary parts?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad States and observables in quantum mechanics
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Blackbody paradox applied to interaction of gravity with electrons
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Chunks of action smaller than Planck's constant
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad What empirical observation supports the axiom of continuous spacetime?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
How Does Slit Height Affect the Discrete Fourier Transform?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
QFT, Noether and Invariance, Complex fields, Equal mass
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
N-oscillator system with two sides attached
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Homework Question about Statistical Mechanics
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K