How do we know what would happen if time reversed?

However, this is just a simplification for the purposes of the experiment. In reality, reversing time would involve complex changes and may not even be possible. In summary, Sean Carroll discusses the CPLEAR experiment, which revealed differences in weak interactions going forward and backward in time. However, it must be noted that the assumption of a simple reversal of particle interactions is not necessarily accurate or even possible.
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olamosey
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The weak interactions are different going forward and going backwards in time. But how can we know this, since we can’t actually reverse time?
In Sean Carroll's lectures Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time, he talks about the the CPLEAR experiment, which showed that the weak interactions are different going forward and going backwards in time. But it seems like there is a big assumption: reversing a particle interaction means that it is happening backwards in time. But it isn't, no time reversal is actually happening. How do we know that if we could actually reverse time, we would see kaons turning into anti-kaons at the same rate?
 
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olamosey said:
How do we know that if we could actually reverse time, we would see kaons turning into anti-kaons at the same rate?
We don't. You are correct in that there is an assumption that nothing else changes when we 'reverse' time.
 
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FAQ: How do we know what would happen if time reversed?

What is the concept of time reversal?

Time reversal is a theoretical concept in physics that suggests the possibility of reversing the direction of time, essentially causing events to unfold in the opposite order from how they occurred.

How do we know that time reversal is possible?

Currently, there is no scientific evidence or technology that supports the possibility of time reversal. It remains a theoretical concept that is still being explored and studied by physicists.

Can we observe time reversal in action?

No, time reversal has not been observed or proven to exist in the natural world. It is purely a theoretical concept at this point in time.

What would happen if time reversed?

If time were to reverse, all events would occur in reverse order, meaning that the effects would come before their causes. This would have significant implications for the laws of physics and the concept of causality.

Is time reversal possible in the future?

While it is currently not possible, advancements in technology and understanding of physics may one day make time reversal a possibility. However, it remains a highly debated and speculative topic in the scientific community.

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