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The Universe and the Mathematics:
Why They Are So Well Matched Take 1A - Modified October 13, 2006 John Lawrence Reed, Jr. Part 1 When I was a boy, I suspected that there was a common thread that ran through all physical systems, and connected all physical laws. The more I learned, the closer I came to identify it. A recurring thought of a short lived image. A focused but momentary insight. A sudden and clear panoramic view, but again and again, it disintegrated and was gone. Defining this thread, putting my finger on it precisely, was for a long time, just outside the range of my consciousness. The most difficult physics problem for me, at that time, was the conceptual understanding of atomic structure. A mathematics had been conceived and refined, by Bohr, Heisenberg, Schrodinger, Born, Dirac, Feynman, and others, developed expressly for the operational, or scientific analysis of atomic phenomena. My view of atomic structure remained unclear for a long time,* with or without the mathematics. Today the mathematical descriptions of the universe on the blackboard and in the published papers are abstract and (to me), devoid of any conceptual connection to physical reality.** The American physicist, Steven Weinberg, wrote, "... it is always hard to realize that these numbers and equations we play with at our desks have something to do with the real world." With the phrase "...something to do with the real world.", Weinberg reveals that the physicist mathematician has an unformed idea as to what many of his or her, quantitative abstractions represent conceptually. Consider the words of the late Hungarian mathematician and physicist, Eugene P. Wigner "...the enormous usefulness of mathematics in the natural sciences is something bordering on the mysterious... there is no rational explanation for it." Eugene Wigner wrote this in a 1960 essay and continued by noting that, the ease by which the mathematics applies to the universe is, "a... gift which we neither understand nor deserve." While I did not concern myself at the time, with our intellectual qualifications as the beneficiaries of the gift, I did seek to understand why it was so effective. Wigner's essay was a major influence on my early thinking, so it was with special interest that I read the recent words of Lawrence M. Krauss in his 2005 book titled, "Hiding in the Mirror". Krauss addresses the ideas presented by Wigner in the 1960*** essay. Krauss writes, "... are our physical theories unique... do they represent some fundamental underlying reality about nature... or have we just chosen one of many different, possibly equally viable mathematical frameworks within which to pose our questions... in this... case would the physical picture corresponding to... other mathematical descriptions each be totally different"? Krauss colors Wigner's concept in a shade perhaps, more reflective of his own. My coloring of Wigner's concern is slightly different. Although Wigner questioned the uniqueness of our physical theories, Wigner did not question that the mathematics reflects a fundamental aspect of the universe. Rather, Wigner pointed out the "uncanny" usefulness of mathematics, and expressed some uncertainty with respect to our reliance on the significance of the experimentally supported predictions of mathematics, to serve as a sole and solid basis on which to verbally formulate our "unique" conceptual physical theories. Wigner approaches the idea that the selection of a mathematical model determines the questions that we ask. He suggests that once we select a mathematical model, both our questions, and the answer to our questions are preordained. In other words, because the mathematics adapts to the real world so well, our mathematical model may be easily colored by the possibly erroneous "a priori" subjective assumptions that we attach to the quantities that we perceive. Where Wigner noted the "uncanny" usefulness of mathematics, I noted that the usefulness remains, regardless of the veracity of our a priori assumptions. As an example, first consider the Ptolemaic, earth centered model of the solar system. Ptolemy based his model on a divine notion for symmetry. Perfect circles and perfect motion. A circle is an efficient enclosure of area. Equal arc lengths will radially enclose equal areas. This is an efficient area enclosing symmetrical property of the circle itself (see Take II). The efficient enclosure of area falls out of each contrived orbit as a property of the perfect circle and its perfect motion. In Ptolemies model it is the consistent efficiency of the orbits that enable the model to be as useful as it is. The sole quantitative connection to the real universe in this "still useful" model, is the efficient, least action, time-space property, attendant to each of the otherwise contrived, circular, cyclic and epi-cyclic orbits. The Ptolemaic model shows that accurate mathematical predictions serve us to a limited operational extent, but provide no absolute basis for an accurate conceptual view. Viewed through the clear lens of hindsight here, we can see that our conceptual questions must be framed correctly, prior to applying the mathematical model beyond its operational context. Must we frame our conceptual questions any less correctly today? Krauss continues: "... because we have made huge strides in our understanding of the nature of scientific theories... since Wigner penned his essay... I believe we can safely say that the question he poses is no longer of any great concern to scientists." During the course of my life, my wide ranging research has included the study of every publication in english print, that I have found, that seeks to present a popularized view of theoretical physics and the attendant mathematics. In my many years at this endeavor Krauss, to his credit, is the only author I have read that directly entertains Wigner's essay. Further, the cutting edge of science is focused on technological progress. Consequently, the focus of Wigner's concern is not seen as a subject that qualifies for research grants. Therefore, as near as I can determine, the question posed by Wigner was never of any great concern to other scientists. Although Wigner's concern is clearly restated as a question, and the answer to that question resides within obtainable bounds, we have been content to leave the question unanswered, and use the mathematics as though the mathematics is a crystal ball, enabling us a near mystical means by which we decipher the universe. I am reminded of the quote, perhaps by Dirac, "... my equations are smarter than me." (paraphrased). Wigner's concern, together with many other concerns,***** did represent a significant problem to me. Even to the extent that my intent to pursue a professional career in theoretical physics was eventually derailed.****** Now, much to my surprise, Krauss indicates that the question has been answered as the result of "huge strides we have made in our understanding of scientific theories..." Krauss continues: "We understand precisely how different mathematical theories can lead to equivalent predictions of physical phenomena because some aspects of the theory will be mathematically irrelevant at some physical scales and not at others." The word "precisely" as used with the scientifically represented, quoted word stream above, is a loosely chosen, unclear and misleading, application of the english language. Many physicist mathematicians today, regard any spoken language as inadequate, even trivial, when compared to the more rigorous, and more intellectually forgiving mathematics. The initial difficulty of learning the mathematics, combined with its operational effectiveness when applied to physical processes, provide to the physicist mathematician; the academic humanist; and to educated humanity at large; the 'illusion' that a "deep" intellectual connection to physical reality exists, that is revealed through the mathematics, and accessible only to the physicist mathematician. This mindset provides an unquestioned and unchallenged world academic platform, that enables the physicist mathematician to put forward any sort of theoretical fantasy, so long as the fantasy retains a mathematical consistency with respect to experimental prediction. To the theoretical physicist mathematician, "any" notion that is not "outlawed" by the applied mathematics, say quantum mechanics or general relativity, is viable. As a clear and representative example of the extent of this view, consider the following quote from Stephen Hawking, in response to a question on the conceptual validity of an extra-dimensional universe. The question: "Do extra dimensions really exist has no meaning. All one can ask is whether mathematical models with extra dimensions provide a good description of the universe." And "...one cannot determine what is real. All one can do is find which mathematical models describe the universe we live in." Extra dimensions are obvious "artifacts" of the mathematics. These are theoretically brought to the real world conceptual table here by Hawking, with a proclamation that I find uncomfortably similar to: 'Verily, verily, I say unto you "All we can ask..." and "All we can do..." will be revealed by our crystal ball.' Hawking, one of the high priests in the field, speaks for most all theoretical physicist mathematicians. God like pronouncements on the limitations of our capacity for knowledge, coupled with the ineffectual (See Brian Greene's PBS, offering: The Elegant Universe) disclaimers as quoted above, together with the unbridled faith, humanity at large places in the conceptual views attendant to the mathematics, are factors that caused me to engage in, what has turned out to be a life long quest, one purpose of which was to understand why the crystal ball extends the "decreed" limits so effectively. I believe that the mathematics is the present key to understanding the universe. I believe that it is a master key, capable of opening many locks. The key must be ground so all the locks open. To accomplish this we must understand the focus and limitations of the key itself. Krauss continues, "Moreover, we now tend to think in terms of "symmetries" of nature... reflected in the underlying mathematics." Krauss is not the first author I have encountered that sets great importance to the mystical notion for a symmetry in nature. He is however, the first to place the notion directly at Wigner's door. Nor is he the only physicist mathematician that considers the mathematics as an "underlying" and therefore controlling aspect of nature, however contrived the mathematics may, or may not be. Krauss perhaps offers that the symmetries in nature are the reason that the mathematics applies so well to the universe. I can agree with this to the extent of its conceptual clarity. However, the idea for a symmetry in nature is not new. The idea was held by the Ancient Greeks some thousands of years ago. The Greeks believed in a divine, therefore perfect symmetry for the motion in the heavens. The Greeks conjectured that perfect circles represented the symmetry. Have we progressed, as Krauss indicates, only to the point of recognizing that the symmetry need not manifest as a perfect circle? Following my analysis of the Ptolemaic model of the solar system, I considered our limited perceptive ability. I concluded that the ease of application of the mathematics to the universe, in terms of time and space, is both a weakness and a strength. We cannot allow the easily applied mathematics, to lead us into otherwise (outside the operational limits of the mathematical model) incomprehensible conceptual ideas, that we validate intellectually, solely on the basis of our limited perceptive abilities. We cannot include quantities within our mathematical models that are loosely defined by the words of the language we think in terms of, and expect the rigor of a mathematical model to clarify and compensate for, our laziness in conceptual thought. As evidenced by the Ptolemaic model of the solar system, our reliance on perceived events to build the conceptual model, requires that our conceptual foundation for the mathematical model, be error free. If we carry any erroneous a priori assumptive baggage into the mathematical model, that mathematical model will eventually be shown to be a new age Ptolemaic mathematical model (if we are fortunate). We require circumspect conceptual reasoning**** concurrent with our use of the mathematics. As a place to begin, we must precisely answer the comparatively simple, fairly straight forward question: "Why does the mathematics work so well on the universe?", if we wish to obtain a non-mystical, non-fantasy based (non-new age Ptolemaic), rationally comprehensible understanding of natural phenomena. Fortunately, I will answer this question within the four corners of this post. Part 2 Through hindsight we can clearly see that Ptolemy based his contrived mathematical model on a centrist view of our place in the universe, on experimental observation, and on a divine notion for symmetry. The Ptolemaic model makes it clear that the notion for symmetry and experimental observation is not sufficient to serve as a sole guide by which we base our present day conceptual models. Ptolemy built his mathematical model to match the observational data. One can thus say that it predicts events. Recently we built our particle physics model, according to a notion for symmetry and to match the experimental data. Note that each model is built on a notion for symmetry and on perceived data. Today, all we apparently lack is a centrist view of our place in the universe. We are surface earth inertial objects. We are composed of surface earth atoms. Our particle physics model rests on the idea that surface earth atoms are composed of more fundamental surface earth particles. The particle notion began with the Ancient Greeks and was applied to the internal structure of the atom after J.J. Thompson separated the electron from an atom. We assumed that the electron maintained a granular state inside the atom, and patterned its structural existence, inside the atom, after our solar system, following the results obtained from the decisive gold foil, particle impact and penetration experiments, carried out by Rutherford and his students. The problems this model presented, guided our investigation through the 20th century. Where we required extra mass, we predicted that a neutrally charged particle existed within the atomic nucleus. Such a particle was located outside the atomic nucleus, by the use of a cloud chamber to detect cosmic particles that passed through the magnetic field within the cloud chamber. Finding the particle was regarded as a successful prediction for the mathematical model. With the Ptolemaic model we had some fairly solid observational evidence to support it. Today we predict a particle and on finding it somewhere outside the model, we conclude that our mathematical model is predictively sound. We say that it predicts experimental results. One problem is that the likelihood of finding (sooner or later) say, any particular additional particle, is possible, with or without the mathematical model that requires its existence. Another more subtle problem is this: When an atom releases a packet of energy, either spontaneously, or as the result of experimental modifications, or as the result of severe natural causes, we have no absolute basis on which to conclude that the released or absorbed packet maintains a granular state inside the atom. The fact that we can view the atom in terms of "particles in equilibrium", and conduct successful experimental operations with this as a guide, does not mean that the "particles" of energy that exist outside the atom, retain that form within the atom. The fact that high energy particles pass through crystals, must be studied in the context of how low energy particles pass through those crystals, etc. In fact, the particle-wave duality of these packets of energy demand such studies. During the 20th century the notion for symmetry; experimental data; and our unquestioned assumption that the particle maintains granularity inside the atom; served to rescue us from the detritus covered field that eventually consisted of some 400+ so called, elementary particles.******* Murray Gell-Mann developed his new age Ptolemaic, symmetrical, mathematical model, to account for what became a sea of flotsam and jetsom as a result of the high energy experimental research into particle physics. By picking and choosing from an array of already created particles, Gell-Mann put them together in a symmetrical order, that he called "The Eight Fold Way". This model required some new, rather bizarre properties, as well as the uncomfortable idea for a fractional charge. In desperation perhaps, and with some desire to maintain credibility in the field, and to secure the continuation of research grants, the model was affirmed. Gell-Mann himself, had to be cajoled into accepting it as real. As contrived as it is, it meets our stated scientific requirements. Who can challenge that? Clearly its name is a reference to eastern mysticism. Our reliance on symmetry, while catering to a shallow requirement for successful prediction, together with the inclusion of our erroneous a priori assumptive baggage, led us right where we deserve to be. Perhaps Wigner saw further than I had first considered. Part 3******** In any case, our problem did not begin with J.J. Thompson. Some 2000 years after the Ancient Greeks, Tycho Brahe's careful observations and Kepler's subsequent careful analysis of those observations, revealed that the symmetry was in time and space. The predictable solar time-space symmetry was subsequently co-opted by Isaac Newton, and used as the carrier for our tactile sense of attraction to the earth, quantified in terms of our locally isolated (surface planet) "inertial mass", and declared as the controlling cause of the order we observe in the celestial, least action universe. This was heralded as Newton's great synthesis********* and is so considered even today. We cannot overly generalize sensory quantities that operate solely within least action parameters, beyond the specific frame within which they directly apply. Where we quantify a force we feel, in terms of our inertial mass, as isolated on the planet surface, and applicable to surface planet inertial mass objects, within the planet field, we cannot generalize that notion of force, to serve as the cause of the time controlled action between the celestial bodies that apparently generate the field. We can, as inertial objects, use it to predict our operational and navigational requirements through the field. Consider the Newtonian frame: Isaac Newton defined centripetal force in terms of his second and third law, to act at a distance, by setting his first law object on an imaginary circular path of motion, at a constant orbital speed. Again we find a perfect circle and perfect motion. Newton allowed the moving object to impact the internal side of the circle circumference at equidistant points to inscribe a polygon. He dropped a radius to the center of the polygon from each vertex (B) of the polygon to describe any number of equal area triangles. "...but when the body is arrived at B, suppose that a centripetal force acts at once with a great impulse..."(Principia) Taking the triangle base length to the limit approaching zero, the base length and the arc, of the velocity driven and time consuming trajectory of the moving object, can be represented as arbitrarily close in length as desired. The velocity vector as centripetal acceleration (v/t), or (dv/dt) at the vertex (B) is by definition consistent with the curvature of the circle, and is ultimately directed along the radius toward the center of the circle as centripetal force (mv^2/r). Note that Newton used a perfect circle and perfect motion to derive centripetal force from instantaneous acceleration where the only change in velocity is direction. Here the equal areas in equal times again falls out as a mathematical artifact of the efficient area enclosing circle itself. This efficient property of the circle is reflected in the real elliptical orbits as Kepler's law of areas, where velocity includes both magnitude and direction such that the efficient area enclosing property of the circle is maintained. Newton generalized the equal areas in equal times property of the perfect circular path to any curved path directed radially around a point. "Every body that moves in any curve line... described by a radius drawn to a point... and describes about that point areas proportional to the times is urged by a centripetal force... to that point." (Principia) Newton extends the mass generated property to include two bodies in elliptical orbit. "Every body, that by a radius drawn to the center of another body... and describes areas about that center proportional to the times, is urged by a force..." (Principia) Newton then ties the mathematical idea for a centripetal force to gravity. "For if a body by means of its gravity revolves in a circle concentric to the earth, this gravity is the centripetal force of that body."(Principia) Note that during the time of Newton the primary quantitative property of bodies included mass, volume, and density. The periodic table was yet to come and only the most primitive form for the idea of an atom existed. "...we conclude the least particles of all bodies... to be... endowed with... inertia." (Principia). Absent the quantitative idea for an atom, and its unique density with respect to the element it represents, the only basis that Newton had for "gravity" was his feel of attraction to the earth quantified in terms of mass. Note that mass as an emergent local property falls out of the freefall phenomenon and that phenomenon is a logical extension of the least action found in Kepler's law of areas. Since mass falls out of least action behavior locally, it will surely apply to least action behavior universally. Where we generally apply mass to the entire universe after our own inertial image, insures that our notion of physical force applies to us, as inertial objects, it gives us no absolute basis to conclude that the controlling attraction between stars and planets is proportionally based on the local measure of mass. While the weight of atoms in the case of pure elements will be proportional, one to one, with the weight in terms of mass, in the case of mixed matter, say surface earth dirt, the proportionality between the number of atoms and their mass will only be "nearly". Today we can see that this attraction can be on the atom itself, and not on its mass (See Take 1D). "... we are to look upon propositions inferred by general deduction... as very near true...until such time as other phenomena occur by which they may either be made more accurate, or liable to exception." (Principia The idea for gravity is an a priori condition for Newton. Just like it still is for most of humanity. A fundamental aspect of nature that is now quantifiable in terms of what we as inertial objects measure as weight. Our feel of gravitational force has always been an a priori condition as the basis for our worldview. It gave us an obvious location for Hell; an easy argument for a flat world; and proved that the earth was the center of the universe. Today it provides us the blackhole, curved space, and the Big Bang. So it was that gravity acted on Newton's first law object in terms of his second and third law force (ma), (mv/t), and (dp/dt) as (mv^2/r), even at a distance, accompanying a vectorial, mathematical adaptation to the circle itself,********** in accord with the centered source of attraction Newton felt to the earth, and generalized to the entire universe using Kepler's law of areas.. "...because the equable description of areas indicates that a center is respected by that force... by which it is drawn back... and retained in its orbit; why may we not be allowed... to use the equable description of areas as an indication of a center about which all motion is performed in free space?" (Principia) My analysis of centripetal force as put forward by Isaac Newton revealed that the law of areas falls out of Newton's perfect circle and perfect motion as an efficient property, or artifact of the circle itself. Newton used this property of the real orbits to generalize his idea of a mass generated centripetal force to the entire universe. Newton's centripetal force is defined within the parameters of a perfect circle and perfect motion. A circle is efficient. Newton connects this efficient property of the perfect circle in perfect motion to its analog in elliptical orbits. He used the law of areas as his carrier for a mass derived force. Kepler's laws have since been regarded as mere empirical facts, that are a consequence of Newton's laws. It is not the law of areas that is fundamental here. Rather, it is the principle the law of areas obeys. That principle does not depend on mass. That principle results in time controlled efficiency. We see it with Ptolemy's model and we see it now as the carrier for Newton's notion of gravitational force. When Newton asked "...why may we not..." generalize the law of areas to the entire universe, as a carrier for his defined force, it almost seems as though his subconscious brain suspects something is wrong. Doing so will carry his idea of centripetal force with it. Making it clear to me that the least action, time controlled property of stable systems are used as the carrier for Newton's idea for a mass generated force. Although Newton defined the least action orbits in terms of inertial mass, we can perform no experiment that differentiates between the atom and the mass of the atom, such that we can absolutely conclude that the earth attractor acts on mass and not on the atom itself. In fact, the freefall, orbit velocity, and escape velocity, experimental data tell us that inertial mass "does not" enter into the earth attractor mathematics. "We are certainly not to relinquish the evidence of experiments for the sake of dreams and vain fictions of our own devising." (Principia) However, these results have continued to center on the incorrectly interpreted freefall data and today, provide the quantitative basis for Einstein's conjectured equivalence principle. Part 4 Either our tactile sense of attraction to the earth (gravity), isolated quantitatively in terms of our 'inertial mass', is the cause of the least action, time controlled, planet orbits, as defined by Isaac Newton; or the least action planet orbits are the reason we can isolate the independent and emergent quantity "inertial mass" on the balance scale; and our tactile sense of attraction to the earth (gravity) is caused by the earth attractor action on our constituent atoms, holding us to the earth's surface. In other words, mass causes the least action planet orbits; or the least action planet orbits allow us to isolate the quantity inertial mass on the balance scale? Is this a reasonable "either/or" proposition? Or can they both be true, as defined by Isaac Newton********** and postulated by Alvin Einstein? Except perhaps for the attitude of the axis of rotation of the planets (where the orientation of Uranus is of special note) and the spatial eccentricity attendant to the orbits that may result from the inertial mass of the planet in opposition to the super-electromagnetic star core initiated or controlled orbit (see Take V.I), I cannot show that inertial mass enters into the time controlled planet attractor or celestial attraction mathematics. I can show, to an experimental accuracy of twelve decimal places that inertial mass 'does not' enter into the earth attractor mathematics during freefall, orbit velocity and escape velocity experiments.************ I can also show that the least action planet orbits are the reason we can isolate the quantity, inertial mass, on the balance scale. For: The orbits function within the constraints of a least action (least time), controlled principle. Freefall functions within the same constraint (equal areas in equal times). Whatever the cause (see Take 1D) of the shared principle, that principle allows us to isolate inertial mass on the balance scale. For: if all objects did not fall at the same rate, when dropped at the same time from the same height, we would be unable to separate the earth attractor surface, accelerative action (g) from the mass of the inertial object (m) on the balance scale, with respect to the "tactile sense of attraction" we feel as resistance and quantify generally as gravitational force (gravitational force = weight = mg). In other words, if all objects did not fall at the same rate when dropped at the same time from the same height, we would have no emergent quantity called inertial mass to investigate. In such a case, the idealized notion for an "unencumbered" field with respect to mass, required for Newton's first and second laws, could not exist. Consequently, I say that inertial mass is emergent in a field that does not act on the property of matter we feel as resistance and quantify in terms of our inertial mass, as weight. Therefore, and as experiment indicates, the earth attractor acts on our atoms and not on the mass of our atoms. Einstein's idea that Newton's first law applies to planet orbits because the planets follow a curved space-time geodesic, merely extends Newton's definition of an inertial mass (ma) generated view of planetary motion by further co-opting the least action planet orbits, within an extended new age Ptolemaic, mathematical model. While maintaining our centrist view for a mass generated notion for gravity, Einstein backed into a more accurate, essentially electromagnetic mathematical frame. Here we gained a new and further obfuscating label for the least action planet orbits: the geodesic. This is not to say that the new age Ptolemaic mathematical models are without value. On the contrary. As Krauss concludes: "Thus seemingly different mathematical formulations can... be understood to reflect identical underlying physical pictures." Here, the phrase, "Thus seemingly different..." when replaced by the phrase, "New age Ptolemaic..." states the case more precisely. So much for the meaning of the word "precise" when used by the physicist mathematician outside the rigor of her or his discipline. So much for God like pronouncements on our capacity for knowledge. So much for the conceptual significance we attach to mathematical predictions based on loosely defined objects of our perception. So much for Eugene Wigner's question, and as he noted in 1960, we have yet to acquire the intellectual framework that is necessary to properly use our gifted crystal ball. Part 5 Fortunately, many, many years ago, during one of my unrelenting contemplative sessions on the mathematics and the operation of the stable systems in the universe, I found and retained, the "precise" rational intellectual framework for it. In one illuminating insight that accompanied, what I remember as a spring like release of torqued tension on my brain, I had the answer to the dilemma articulated by Eugene Wigner, and I had the object of my long sought for "common thread" that runs through all our physical laws. Galileo may have been the first to formally assert that, "...the laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics." Today we may elaborate: stability in the field requires economy in cyclic motion. It is illuminating to note that the action stable systems must follow to maintain perpetuity in the field, is precisely an action that mathematics represents well. The mathematics fits the stable universe because the mathematics easily represents************* the efficient, time controlled, least action************** properties common to stable physical systems. Least action lends itself readily to mathematical analysis. As a consequence, and as Eugene Wigner alluded to, great care must be taken to insure that in the study of our least action, time controlled universe, we do not inadvertently allow our least action dependent, mathematical models, to include the overly generalized a priori assumptions, that we attach to the locally isolated (surface planet) quantities that we measure, solely on the basis of the quantified consistency within specific local (surface planet) cases of least action events. And we must circumspectly guard against the indiscriminate inclusion of the essentially mathematical artifacts of the mathematical models, in our conceptual world view. This includes the obvious extra-dimensional fantasies, made acceptable by the blind faith we attach to the near mystical powers we expect from our gifted crystal ball, and the additional fantasies made possible by the open window provided by Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, within the constraints of Planck's constant. Endnotes * Eleven years passed before the results I obtained from my study of atomic structure, forced me to turn my focus toward gravity. A topic that until then, represented a solid, unassailable pillar, in my worldview. The wave nature of particles is a clue to the structure of the atom. I have briefly applied this clue in Take 6. ** Except as noted herein. ***Actually the Krauss books are informative and entertaining. The subject complexity is daunting. My kudos to the author. However, Eugene Wigner's 1960 essay is seldom seriously entertained by anyone but me. I graduated from high school in 1961. Consequently, Wigner's essay was a major and continued influence on my subsequent thinking. **** In Take 1D, "Mass: The Emergent Quantity", I put forward a viable, rationally consistent, conceptual alternative, to our theory for a mass derived gravitational force. Through the "present-sight", more finely ground conceptual lens, provided by Take1D, we can, with some unexpected amplification, again see the importance of succinctly defining the quantities we use within our mathematical model, prior to using the accurate time-space predictions provided by the mathematical model, to point toward an investigative direction, and prior to describing the universe in conceptual terms. In Take 1D, I define, and so limit, the extent to which our perception applies within the mathematical model, and a clarity falls out of the conceptual model. Compare this to the many mathematical models today that exploit our limited perception, in order to provide the foundational basis for the veracity of the mathematical model, while abandoning any requirement for conceptual contiguity. *****As one example, consider Einstein's postulate that all inertial observers measure the same speed of light, regardless the velocity of the observer and the light source. Note that light comes in one speed. It has no acceleration one way or another. It has many frequencies and many corresponding wavelengths. The discrepancy of velocity with respect to the observer and source is accounted for by the difference in frequency and wavelength measured by each observer. Therefore, if we require the Fitzgerald-Lorentz modification, originally proposed in response to the missing (and not necessary) "aether" left undiscovered by Michelson and Morley, it "may" have something to do with a time of arrival, but it has nothing to do with the measure of lightspeed. As another example: Take 6 together with Take 1D provides an alternative view that eliminates the gravitationally predicted "blackhole". The blackhole eventually became another major concern in my thinking. ****** As I continued my education, the physical descriptions of reality that were presented as science left me incredulous. I set out to make sense out of the nonsense. ******* The particles that are created and released by the elements are fundamental. Those particles found regularly in cosmic and solar streams might also be regarded as fundamental. Those particles that we have bludgeoned into existence are most certainly, primarily rubble. ******** Most of my posts start first from my notes, either mental or written. When I expand on the post I research the original data and use it as a source for augmentation. Part 3 of this post is compiled without benefit of that research and therefore, in my view is but loosely outlined. It appears that it may be some time before I will have the place or the time for that research. Since, at my age, death can come at any time, I will post this today, as is. Incidentally, this consideration prompts all my posts. ********* My respect for Isaac Newton is as boundless as is my conception of the universe. We must note that Newton justified the veracity of his "system of mathematical points" by writing that "since it is true for all the matter we can measure, it is true for all matter whatsoever." (paraphrased). ********** To assist the non-mathematically trained reader consider: A circle can be viewed as a polygon with a near infinite number of near infinitely short sides. This idea can be represented using the mathematics because we can rigorously describe the side lengths as near to infinitesimally short as we wish. Then at each end of each side we can drop a radius to the circle (polygon) center. This will result in a near infinite number of near infinitely narrow triangles ranged around the center of the circle and nearly filling its entire area. This is similar to the thought process the Ancient Greeks used to derive the formula for the area of a circle. The area of a square or rectangle is length times width. It follows that the area of a triangle is half the area of the square or rectangle. So we have (1/2)x(L)x(W). Which in triangle nomenclature is (1/2) the altitude times the base. The circle is nearly filled with the triangles ranged around its center and the total length of the summed base is nearly the circumference of the circle (2pir) and the altitude is the radius of the circle. So, (1/2)x(2pir)x(r) equals (pir^2) the formula for the circle's area. The "nearly" aspect of the area of a circle is reflected in the accuracy of (pi) which increases, apparently without limit. The Greek's circle is defined in terms of length and area. Newton's centripetal force circle is defined in terms of a moving inertial object through time surrounding area. Rather than summing the near infinitely narrow near infinite number of ranged triangle bases to approach the circumference of the circle, Newton takes one of the infinitely narrow triangle bases to the infinitesimal limit. As its base length approaches zero it becomes indistinguishable from the length and direction of the infinitesimal arc. The radius of the circle then takes on the direction of the acceleration. *********** It turns out that Isaac Newton defined gravitational force such that, general relativity develops on this alternative. Due to space limitations that I believe should be considered when posting on a topic, and the fact that the length of this post has far exceeded that limit, I will expand on general relativity in my next post. I will entertain quantum mechanics when I expand on Take 6. ************ Isaac Newton's interpretation of the freefall phenomenon; Albert Einstein's interpretation of the freefall data; and my interpretation of that data; lead to entirely different conclusions. I say that inertial mass does not figure into the earth attractor mathematics, therefore the earth attractor does not act on inertial mass. Einstein postulated that because the measured, so called gravitational mass, and the measured inertial mass are quantitatively the same, they are in fact, the same. I will expand on this in my next post. ************* One example of many in the math: When we differentiate the function that describes the area of a Euclidean circle (pir^2), we get the function that describes its circumference length (2pir). In other words, we get a least action (efficient) "boundary condition" for a given closed area function factored by "pi".This is the simplest example, but it holds true for the function that describes the volume of a 3D sphere and every other least action (efficient) closed area or volume function factored by "pi", that I have investigated. ************** A simple example of an efficient or least action (when taken over time) function, in terms of a static form, is a Euclidean circle. The circumference is the shortest line length to contain the greatest area. If the reader wishes to review the Takes referenced herein, type "johnreed take" at the Google.group screen and click the search button. Then click on the sort by date option in the mid-upper right of your screen to avoid my earlier even more primitive attempts to succinctly articulate these ideas. johnreed |
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