According to SR, as one's speed increases without
limit, the length contracts without limit, as
seen by an outside observer.

Now I wonder, what happens if the length
compresses to the atomic scale? Do quantum
effects emerge, does the object become 'wave-like',
as seen by the observer? Presumably, the high
speed traveler does not notice anything amiss.

The situation reminds me of the retort to the
Schrodinger's cat paradox: the cat knows whether
he is alive or not!

--
Rich

"RichD" wrote in message
oups.com...
According to SR, as one's speed increases without
limit, the length contracts without limit, as
seen by an outside observer.

Now I wonder, what happens if the length
compresses to the atomic scale? Do quantum
effects emerge, does the object become 'wave-like',
as seen by the observer? Presumably, the high
speed traveler does not notice anything amiss.

QM does not predict small objects become wavelike - it says objects
sometimes act like a wave and sometimes like a particle - but really they
are neither. You would need put your remarks in the context of an actual
experiment such as passing it though a slit or something like that. And
exactly how you would arrange for an object traveling at such a speed to
pass through a slit in the direction it is shortened is beyond me. And even
then its wavelength will be mighty small for such a massive object - so
small you would not be able to detect any interference a pattern.


The situation reminds me of the retort to the
Schrodinger's cat paradox: the cat knows whether
he is alive or not!


Interesting observation. But please remember the so called Schrodengers cat
paradox is only a paradox if we select a bad cutover point into the
classical realm. Place the cutover at the detector that breaks the cyanide
vial and you have no problem.

Thanks
Bill


--
Rich

according to SR, one's speed cannot increase without limit. the limit is c =
299,792,458 m / s (the speed of light exactly)


"RichD" wrote in message
oups.com...
According to SR, as one's speed increases without
limit, the length contracts without limit, as
seen by an outside observer.

Now I wonder, what happens if the length
compresses to the atomic scale? Do quantum
effects emerge, does the object become 'wave-like',
as seen by the observer? Presumably, the high
speed traveler does not notice anything amiss.

The situation reminds me of the retort to the
Schrodinger's cat paradox: the cat knows whether
he is alive or not!

--
Rich