Does the uncertainty principle break symmetry?

In summary, the classic physics problem example of symmetry breaking is a pencil sitting directly on its tip (pointed down), but it's possible for the pencil to balance on its tip if we reduce the thermal fluctuations to zero by cooling it to close zero degree. Quantum fluctuations require/mean that after some time no matter that it was ‘perfectly’ balanced it is going to fall over. However, unless I missed something, they detected no such effects in the classical experiments.
  • #1
kahoomann
58
1
The classic physics problem example of symmetry breaking is a pencil sitting directly on its tip (pointed down), but it's possible for the pencil to balance on its tip if we reduce the thermal
fluctuations to zero by cooling it to close zero degree.
Quantum fluctuations require/mean that after some time no matter that it was ‘perfectly’ balanced it is going to fall over. So the question is that would the pencil, a classical object, fall over due to quantum fluctuations in a thought experiment pioneered by Einstein?
 
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  • #2
If by "HUP" you also includes quantum fluctuation, then of course it can induce some symmetry breaking. Isn't that the whole principle behind quantum phase transition? But this isn't an identical scenario with a pencil sitting on its tip. Besides the realistic problem of setting up the experiment, one should also consider that if the effect is THAT pronounced as to tip over a pencil, then it should also manifest itself in other experiments that are even more sensitive, such as the nanoscale balance that was reported a while back, and all those sub-micron gravitational measurement that came out of the University of Washington. Yet, unless I missed something, they detected no such effects.

Zz.
 
  • #3
The tip of the pencil - even though appearing very sharp to you - is still orders of magnitude wider than necessary to overcome quantum fluctuations. They are extremely small.
 
  • #4
peter0302 said:
The tip of the pencil - even though appearing very sharp to you - is still orders of magnitude wider than necessary to overcome quantum fluctuations. They are extremely small.

I don't think the quantum fluctuations are constant in time. Once in a while, there will be a big fluctuation cause the pencil to fall
 
  • #5
kahoomann said:
I don't think the quantum fluctuations are constant in time. Once in a while, there will be a big fluctuation cause the pencil to fall

Then you need to show experimental evidence of the presence of this "big fluctuation", and why it is not detected in all the other, more sensitive, experiments. Without such evidence, you are making unfounded speculation.

Zz.
 
  • #6
Yes, and once in awhile all the atoms in the pencil will randomly decide to move upward and the pencil will levitate.

Except for the fact that the odds are one in a number with a whole lot more zeroes than you'll see in the lifetime of the universe.
 

1. What is the uncertainty principle?

The uncertainty principle is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that states that the more precisely the position of a particle is known, the less precisely its momentum can be known, and vice versa. This means that there is a limit to how accurately we can measure both the position and momentum of a particle at the same time.

2. How does the uncertainty principle relate to symmetry?

The uncertainty principle breaks symmetry by introducing an inherent randomness or uncertainty in the behavior of particles at the quantum level. This means that the laws of physics are not necessarily symmetrical, as they can produce different outcomes depending on the measurement or observation being made.

3. Can the uncertainty principle be violated?

No, the uncertainty principle is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics and has been experimentally verified many times. It is a fundamental aspect of how particles behave at the quantum level and cannot be violated.

4. Does the uncertainty principle only apply to particles?

No, the uncertainty principle applies to all physical systems at the quantum level, including particles, atoms, and molecules. It is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and applies to all quantum systems.

5. How does the uncertainty principle impact our understanding of the universe?

The uncertainty principle has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the behavior of particles at the quantum level. It has led to the development of quantum mechanics and has revolutionized our understanding of the building blocks of the universe. It also has practical applications in technologies such as quantum computing and cryptography.

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