Dark Matter and the Uncertainty Principle

In summary, the speaker is seeking feedback on their blog post about dark matter and the uncertainty principle. They clarify a point about momentum being the precise measurement at the singularity, and suggest that mass inflation could be involved in providing extra mass-energy. They apologize for any confusion and invite further comments.
  • #1
OwlHoot
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1
I hope a pointer to a speculative post on a blog is OK in this group. But as the posting rules at https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374 reference a dead page, I was unable to check ;-)

(It would be easy to copy and paste that article here, if that is considered desirable to avoid future duff URLs.)

Anyway, I'd be interested in any constructive or destructive (but sane!) comments on my blog post at

http://qwertyous.blogspot.com/2010/07/dark-matter-and-uncertainty-principle.html


Cheers

John R Ramsden
 
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  • #2
I patched up the blog post toward the end, clarifying the fact that it must be _momentum_ that the black hole "observes/measures" precisely, in order to allow the position to be uncertain!

Because the position of mass-energy must be precisely "measured" at the singularity, this of course implies that some extra mass-energy must be involved. I propose that mass inflation supplies this.

Apologies for any confusion (and of course please comment if any remains, or there is something else that needs taking into account).
 

FAQ: Dark Matter and the Uncertainty Principle

What is dark matter?

Dark matter is a type of matter that cannot be seen or detected using traditional methods, such as telescopes or other instruments. It is believed to make up about 85% of all matter in the universe and is thought to play a crucial role in the formation and structure of galaxies. However, its exact nature and composition are still largely unknown.

How does dark matter relate to the Uncertainty Principle?

The Uncertainty Principle, also known as Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, states that it is impossible to know both the exact position and momentum of a subatomic particle at the same time. This principle is important in understanding the behavior of dark matter, as it is thought to interact with regular matter through gravity and possibly other forces, but is difficult to detect and study directly due to its elusive nature.

What evidence do we have for the existence of dark matter?

There are several pieces of evidence that support the existence of dark matter. One of the most compelling is the observation of gravitational lensing, where the gravity of an object bends and distorts the light of objects behind it. This effect has been observed in many galaxies, indicating the presence of a large amount of invisible mass. Additionally, the rotation curves of galaxies do not match the predicted behavior based on visible matter, suggesting the presence of unseen mass.

How is dark matter currently being studied and researched?

Scientists are using a variety of methods to study and research dark matter. One approach is through direct detection experiments, where detectors are placed deep underground to try and capture the rare interactions between dark matter particles and regular matter. Another method is through indirect detection, where scientists look for the effects of dark matter annihilation or decay in astronomical data. Additionally, particle accelerators are being used to try and create and study dark matter particles in controlled environments.

What are some current theories about the nature of dark matter?

There are many theories about the nature of dark matter, but none have been definitively proven. Some scientists believe that dark matter could be made up of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), while others propose that it could be made up of axions, sterile neutrinos, or other exotic particles. Some theories even suggest that dark matter may not be matter at all, but rather a modification of the laws of gravity on a large scale. Research and experiments are ongoing to try and better understand the true nature of dark matter.

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