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Quantum Physics free of Folklore #2
Aiming at REALITY: Statistical Entropy, Disorder, and the Quantum
Aiming at REALITY, the second book of the series 'Quantum Physics free of Folklore', starts with a hypothetical Socratic/Platonic dialog between the realist Sancho Panza and the idealist Don Quixote, after the latter confronted the Reality of colliding with a windmill. He had kicked at one of his imaginary giants and the real windmill had kicked back at him. The Reality of the impact had not been compromised: Don Quixote 'explained' to Sancho that the same enchanter who had burned his library had -with a spooky action at a distance- turned the giant into a windmill right before their encounter. Somehow, the real windmill had been created by the measurement (encounter) while, before it, a blurred pseudo-Reality (a whole set of potentialities) had been hovering in the mind of the ingenious knight-errant.
The parallel between this iconic passage of Cervantes' fictional magnum opus and what happened during the first half of the 20th century (and is still happening) is compelling. Reality has dwarfed fiction. Most of the conundrums, ingrained in the century-old controversy regarding the physical interpretations of Quantum Physics, are encrypted in the imaginary dialog between Don Quixote and Sancho:
1. What is the nature of a physical object in the micro-world? Why do we insist in confusing the semantics of 'behaving like' (epistemic metaphor) with the semantics of 'being' (ontic). Micro-objects are neither particles nor waves (and of course they are not both!)
2. What is Probability? How do Probability and Statistics work together to describe Reality in Quantum Physics? Are they just a tool to palliate our lack of knowledge and/or limited computing capacity or... are they Nature's intrinsic modus operandi?
3. What is the role of the observer? Is the correct interpretation of Quantum Mechanics intimately related to the correct interpretation of probability (classical, subjectivist, frequentist, and propensity)?
4. Why are complex numbers so important for the new Physics? If the probabilities are real numbers, why does Quantum Physics calculate them through a mysterious complex number?
5. Why is the Second Law of Thermodynamics not a strictly deterministic law but a probabilistic one? Why is a macro-entity like Entropy a measure of disorder (randomness) in the microcosm and how is it related to Nature's innovation by chance we see in biological evolution and everywhere? And what is the relation between Statistical Entropy and the anisotropy of time?
Through a quantum-like description of a mundane macro-object like the Galton/Popper bean machine, the reader can grasp the concepts of quantum state, eigenstates, eigenvalues, and wavefunction. S/he can also understand:
a. Probabilities are objective properties of the physical world that 'kick' us back when we 'kick' them;
b. What is really behind the infamous 'collapse of the wavefunction';
c. A bean (photon) does not need to 'know' whether a pin (slit) has been removed (closed) or not; and
d. Einstein's spooky action at a distance is happening around us all the time.
The fact that the reader may not have a scientific education does not mean that s/he does not have the intelligence to understand profound concepts -- as long as they are presented with semantic and epistemological clarity. After all, Einstein said that Science is simply the refinement of our intuition and everyday experiences.
The parallel between this iconic passage of Cervantes' fictional magnum opus and what happened during the first half of the 20th century (and is still happening) is compelling. Reality has dwarfed fiction. Most of the conundrums, ingrained in the century-old controversy regarding the physical interpretations of Quantum Physics, are encrypted in the imaginary dialog between Don Quixote and Sancho:
1. What is the nature of a physical object in the micro-world? Why do we insist in confusing the semantics of 'behaving like' (epistemic metaphor) with the semantics of 'being' (ontic). Micro-objects are neither particles nor waves (and of course they are not both!)
2. What is Probability? How do Probability and Statistics work together to describe Reality in Quantum Physics? Are they just a tool to palliate our lack of knowledge and/or limited computing capacity or... are they Nature's intrinsic modus operandi?
3. What is the role of the observer? Is the correct interpretation of Quantum Mechanics intimately related to the correct interpretation of probability (classical, subjectivist, frequentist, and propensity)?
4. Why are complex numbers so important for the new Physics? If the probabilities are real numbers, why does Quantum Physics calculate them through a mysterious complex number?
5. Why is the Second Law of Thermodynamics not a strictly deterministic law but a probabilistic one? Why is a macro-entity like Entropy a measure of disorder (randomness) in the microcosm and how is it related to Nature's innovation by chance we see in biological evolution and everywhere? And what is the relation between Statistical Entropy and the anisotropy of time?
Through a quantum-like description of a mundane macro-object like the Galton/Popper bean machine, the reader can grasp the concepts of quantum state, eigenstates, eigenvalues, and wavefunction. S/he can also understand:
a. Probabilities are objective properties of the physical world that 'kick' us back when we 'kick' them;
b. What is really behind the infamous 'collapse of the wavefunction';
c. A bean (photon) does not need to 'know' whether a pin (slit) has been removed (closed) or not; and
d. Einstein's spooky action at a distance is happening around us all the time.
The fact that the reader may not have a scientific education does not mean that s/he does not have the intelligence to understand profound concepts -- as long as they are presented with semantic and epistemological clarity. After all, Einstein said that Science is simply the refinement of our intuition and everyday experiences.
- GenresScience
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2017
About the author
Felix Alba-Juez
13 books32 followersFelix was born in Burgos (Spain) in 1948. In 1949, his parents settled in Necochea (Argentina) where he completed his elementary and high school education. In 1966 he moved to Bahía Blanca (Argentina) where he graduated in Electrical Engineering at the 'Universidad Nacional del Sur' (UNS). In 1971, he started his academic life as Teaching Assistant of Mathematics at the UNS and, from 1974 until to 1983, he was Adjunct, Associate, and Full Professor at the 'Universidad Nacional de San Juan' in San Juan, Argentina.
In 1983, he moved to Salt Lake City, USA as Postdoctoral Fellow and soon after Research Associate for the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Utah, conducting basic Research and Development on Optimal Control of Mineral Grinding Operations.
In 1987, he left Academia and founded his own consulting company working over the years with private companies and governmental entities as DuPont, ALCOA, US Department of Transportation, NASA, and Dow Chemical. His first patent was granted in 1992 in USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, protecting a technology based on ultrasonic spectroscopy for measuring particle size in industrial suspensions and emulsions.
In the period 1997-2001, Felix developed a fundamental theory for the generic mathematical modeling of multiple scattering of optical and acoustical waves interacting with highly-concentrated suspensions and emulsions.
During 2001-2007, he developed a particle size analyzer based on optical spectroscopy, and commercialized a generic simulation software tool connectable to acoustic and optical spectrometers, so as to convert them into particle size analyzers. The patent for this generic technology was granted in 2007.
In 2008, Felix sold all his intellectual property to Agilent Technologies, Inc, and currently is a scientific consultant, and writes Popular Science books on Epistemology and Philosophy of Science in English and Spanish. His first book in Spanish on the Theory of Relativity was published in 2009 by the 'Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, S.A.' in Valencia (Spain).
Since October 2013, Felix is back to Academia as a Research Professor for the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the University of Utah. He is also working on the e-series 'Quantum Physics free of Folklore' of which 'Records of the Future' is its first volume published in January 2013.
Félix Alba-Juez Nació en Burgos (España) en 1948. En 1949, sus padres se establecieron en Necochea (Argentina) donde completó su educación primaria y secundaria. En 1966 se trasladó a Bahía Blanca donde se graduó en Ingeniería Eléctrica en la Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) en 1974. Mientras fue estudiante, se desempeñó como Asistente de Docencia en el Departamento de Matemática de la UNS. Durante los años 1974 hasta 1983, fue Profesor Adjunto, Asociado, y Titular en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina.
En 1983, se trasladó a USA donde se desempeñó como 'Post-Doctoral Fellow' y luego 'Research Associate' en el Departamento de Metalurgia de la Universidad de Utah, conduciendo investigación básica en teoría del control óptimo, y asesorando a estudiantes de doctorado en el control óptimo de la molienda de minerales.
En 1987, se estableció como consultor independiente trabajando para entidades como DuPont, ALCOA, Dow Chemical, 'US Department of Transportation', y NASA. Su primera patente fue otorgada en 1992 en USA, Inglaterra, Francia, Alemania y Japón, protegiendo una tecnología de medición de tamaño de partícula basada en espectroscopia de ultrasonido.
Durante 1997-2001, desarrolló una nueva teoría física para modelar genéricamente la reflexión, refracción, difracción, y absorción múltiple de ondas ópticas y ultrasónicas interactuando con suspensiones altamente concentradas.
En el período 2001-2007, desarrolló un analizador de tamaño de partícula basado en espectroscopia óptica, y comercializó una herramienta de simulación genérica para conectar a espectrómetros
In 1983, he moved to Salt Lake City, USA as Postdoctoral Fellow and soon after Research Associate for the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Utah, conducting basic Research and Development on Optimal Control of Mineral Grinding Operations.
In 1987, he left Academia and founded his own consulting company working over the years with private companies and governmental entities as DuPont, ALCOA, US Department of Transportation, NASA, and Dow Chemical. His first patent was granted in 1992 in USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, protecting a technology based on ultrasonic spectroscopy for measuring particle size in industrial suspensions and emulsions.
In the period 1997-2001, Felix developed a fundamental theory for the generic mathematical modeling of multiple scattering of optical and acoustical waves interacting with highly-concentrated suspensions and emulsions.
During 2001-2007, he developed a particle size analyzer based on optical spectroscopy, and commercialized a generic simulation software tool connectable to acoustic and optical spectrometers, so as to convert them into particle size analyzers. The patent for this generic technology was granted in 2007.
In 2008, Felix sold all his intellectual property to Agilent Technologies, Inc, and currently is a scientific consultant, and writes Popular Science books on Epistemology and Philosophy of Science in English and Spanish. His first book in Spanish on the Theory of Relativity was published in 2009 by the 'Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, S.A.' in Valencia (Spain).
Since October 2013, Felix is back to Academia as a Research Professor for the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the University of Utah. He is also working on the e-series 'Quantum Physics free of Folklore' of which 'Records of the Future' is its first volume published in January 2013.
Félix Alba-Juez Nació en Burgos (España) en 1948. En 1949, sus padres se establecieron en Necochea (Argentina) donde completó su educación primaria y secundaria. En 1966 se trasladó a Bahía Blanca donde se graduó en Ingeniería Eléctrica en la Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) en 1974. Mientras fue estudiante, se desempeñó como Asistente de Docencia en el Departamento de Matemática de la UNS. Durante los años 1974 hasta 1983, fue Profesor Adjunto, Asociado, y Titular en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina.
En 1983, se trasladó a USA donde se desempeñó como 'Post-Doctoral Fellow' y luego 'Research Associate' en el Departamento de Metalurgia de la Universidad de Utah, conduciendo investigación básica en teoría del control óptimo, y asesorando a estudiantes de doctorado en el control óptimo de la molienda de minerales.
En 1987, se estableció como consultor independiente trabajando para entidades como DuPont, ALCOA, Dow Chemical, 'US Department of Transportation', y NASA. Su primera patente fue otorgada en 1992 en USA, Inglaterra, Francia, Alemania y Japón, protegiendo una tecnología de medición de tamaño de partícula basada en espectroscopia de ultrasonido.
Durante 1997-2001, desarrolló una nueva teoría física para modelar genéricamente la reflexión, refracción, difracción, y absorción múltiple de ondas ópticas y ultrasónicas interactuando con suspensiones altamente concentradas.
En el período 2001-2007, desarrolló un analizador de tamaño de partícula basado en espectroscopia óptica, y comercializó una herramienta de simulación genérica para conectar a espectrómetros
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
January 15, 2017
Awesome!
I am astonished with the number of Aha! moments I had while reading an early copy of this fenomenal book. It's a real eye-opener and I am extremely impressed with the way in which complex concepts related to probability and statistical entropy (for me, to tell you the truth, the latter has been only ʺsome bloody order-disorder thingʺ until now) were introduced to the layperson whose mathematical background is nearly imaginary, as well as with the way in which they were connected to both real-world/classical physics examples and quantum physics phenomena such as the 'spooky action at the distance', superposition of eigenstates and the collapse of the wave function.
What's the best, the book reads like a weird thriller in which the victim (determinism) skillfully avoids being killed, at least in this ʺinstallmentʺ.
To sum up: The book lived up to its title, and I love it. Highly, highly recommended!
I am astonished with the number of Aha! moments I had while reading an early copy of this fenomenal book. It's a real eye-opener and I am extremely impressed with the way in which complex concepts related to probability and statistical entropy (for me, to tell you the truth, the latter has been only ʺsome bloody order-disorder thingʺ until now) were introduced to the layperson whose mathematical background is nearly imaginary, as well as with the way in which they were connected to both real-world/classical physics examples and quantum physics phenomena such as the 'spooky action at the distance', superposition of eigenstates and the collapse of the wave function.
What's the best, the book reads like a weird thriller in which the victim (determinism) skillfully avoids being killed, at least in this ʺinstallmentʺ.
To sum up: The book lived up to its title, and I love it. Highly, highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review