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Quantum Theory The worst scientific theory of all time

Quantum Theory The worst scientific theory of all time. Dr Mark J Hadley Dept of Physics. Plan. Introduction to QT Why it is bad A bad theory of classical Mechanics Classical probability Why the quantum world is different Why QT is a bad response An alternative to QT. Quantum theory.

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Quantum Theory The worst scientific theory of all time

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  1. Quantum TheoryThe worst scientific theory of all time Dr Mark J Hadley Dept of Physics

  2. Plan • Introduction to QT • Why it is bad • A bad theory of classical Mechanics • Classical probability • Why the quantum world is different • Why QT is a bad response • An alternative to QT

  3. Quantum theory • Predictions are intrinsically probabilistic. • A state is represented by a vector, , in a complex Hilbert space. •  contains the maximum possible amount of information. • A rule to get probabilities from . • A rule to describe the evolution of .

  4. Includes • Quantum mechanics • Quantum Field Theory • String Theory

  5. How bad? • Quantum Theory • Genesis • .. • . • .

  6. Why is it so bad? • Fails to explain Nature • What is an elementary particle • Particle spectrum • Fundamental forces • What is happening in an experiment • Prevents progress

  7. (x) • Gives probability information only. • It is not the particle. • It does not exist. • It requires a new meaning to probability • Cannot say what a particle is.. • where it is… • what it is doing.

  8. A bad theory of classical mechanics • Throwing a projectile at a target. • (r,) describes the probability of a certain result. • (r,,z,t) describes the evolving wave-packet. • Nothing else can be said about the projectile

  9. A dice throw • (n) gives the probability of a particular result. • The throw is governed by classical mechanics. • (n) = 1/6 • Why?

  10. (n)  high   evens  lucky

  11. (n)= 1/6 • Not from Newtonian mechanics • Structure Phase space of initial conditions + Deterministic evolution = Space of final conditions • Symmetry • Nothing else

  12. Structural Implications Deterministic evolution Phase-space of initial conditions (n) Boolean Logic

  13. Classical Probabilities • Satisfy Boolean Logic • Are a measure of our ignorance of initial conditions. • Can always be represented as Volume integrals.

  14. Quantum Theory Probabilities • Do not satisfy Boolean Logic • Are represented by projections of a vector • Are an intrinsic feature of Nature A completely new meaning to probability

  15. Classical and Quantum worlds are very, very similar. For a single experiment • Can use classical probabilities • Boolean Logic • Individual trajectories • No complex wave function For incompatible experiments • Cannot construct a single phase-space of initial conditions that gives the observed results.

  16. The quantum World is context dependent • QT is one response • It hides the difference • State => Evolution => results • At a cost • A new meaning to probability • No underlying explanation

  17. The quantum World is context dependent • Explain it with an existing theory • Sensible • Explain it with a brilliant new theory • Genius • Don’t explain it • Pragmatist • Deny that anything needs explaining • Philosopher

  18. The quantum World is context dependent • Explain it with an existing theory • lazy • Explain it with a brilliant new theory • insane • Don’t explain it • loser • Deny that anything needs explaining • bad loser

  19. Using an existing theory • Choice between: • GR • GR • GR

  20. GR and QT • Can GR explain context dependent effects? • Yes • Will it agree with QT predictions? • Yes it has to Structure + Symmetry & Continuity = all equations of QT

  21. Using GR • GR allows a non-trivial causal structure • Measurement apparatus can set additional boundary conditions • Any Geometric theory of spacetime can have the same structure

  22. From GR to QT • Can GR get the equations of QT directly? • No (Not yet) • But remember (n)= 1/6

  23. Progress The Logic of Quantum Mechanics Derived From Classical General Relativity Foundations of Physics Letters Vol 10, No.1, (1997) 43-60. • Topology change and context dependence International Journal of Theoretical Physics Vol. 38 (1999) 1481 • Charge and the topology of spacetime Class. Quantum Grav. 16 No 11 (November 1999) 3567-3577 • Spin half in classical general relativity Class. Quantum Grav. 17 No 20 (October 2000) 4187-4194 • The orientability of spacetime Class. Quantum Grav. 19 (August 2002) 4565-4571

  24. The Quantum World • Explain it with an existing theory • GR (sensible) • Explain it with a brilliant new theory • insane • Don’t explain it • loser • Deny that anything needs explaining • Quantum Theory (bad loser)

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