The Mysteries of Brownian Motion: Unpredictable Yet Causal?

[Descartz2000]

If Brownian motion is continuous, why then is it not inherently deterministic? Are the events that Brownian motion covers based on previous states and causal factors? So, unpredictable (too many variable at play), yet causal? What am I missing here?

 

[Archosaur]

The fact that Brownian motion is determined by such small particles and their interactions with each other, I would imagine that there is a probabilistic element to it, but for the most part, yes, it's deterministic. It's usually referred to as "random", but really it's just so complicated that we can't predict it. For example, no computer ever built by mankind has generated a random number. Instead, they generate pseudo-random numbers according to incredibly complicated equations. The effect is a set of numbers with no apparent relationship, but it's still deterministic.

So overall, other than quantum randomness, I'd say Brownian motion is deterministic, albeit super-complicated.

 

[astrokreng]

Brownian motion, also known as random motion, is a natural phenomenon in which particles in a fluid move in a seemingly random manner. This motion is caused by the random collisions of the particles with the surrounding molecules. While the motion appears to be unpredictable, it is actually caused by underlying factors and can be described by mathematical equations.

The reason why Brownian motion is not inherently deterministic is because it is affected by numerous factors that are constantly changing. These factors include the temperature, pressure, and composition of the fluid, as well as the size and shape of the particles. Even small changes in these factors can lead to significant variations in the motion of the particles.

However, this does not mean that Brownian motion is completely unpredictable. In fact, the motion is still considered to be causal, meaning that it can be traced back to specific events and factors. The random collisions that cause Brownian motion are based on the previous states of the particles and the surrounding molecules. This means that the motion is not completely random, but rather a result of specific causal factors.

So, to address the question of unpredictability and causality in Brownian motion, it is important to understand that while the motion may seem unpredictable due to the large number of variables at play, it is still based on causal factors and can be described by mathematical equations. Therefore, the apparent unpredictability of Brownian motion is due to the complexity of the system, rather than a lack of causality.