Double Slit Experiment: Interference Patterns & Worldlines

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In summary, the discussion revolves around the nature of particles and their wavelike behavior. It is agreed that particles have a wavelike nature, but this is most easily observed through the double slit experiment due to diffraction and interference patterns. The question is whether the apparatus itself alters the particles' lagrangian and causes the interference pattern, or if particles naturally have lagrangians that will lead to an interference pattern regardless of the presence of an apparatus. It is also proposed that vacuum fluctuations could potentially cause diffraction in free space.
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JPBenowitz
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If we were to remove the double-slit from the experiment and have the CCD screen a light year away would we expect the same results? In other words is it the double slit that causes the interference pattern or do all particles have a worldine that is wave-like? I would think the latter.
 
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I'm a little confused as to what you are asking, but you're right that all particles have a wavelike nature. It's just that this nature is most easily seen through the double slit, because, like a wave going through the double slit, it causes diffraction, and an interference pattern. Particles moving through free space won't diffract, and we won't observe an interference.
 
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soothsayer said:
I'm a little confused as to what you are asking, but you're right that all particles have a wavelike nature. It's just that this nature is most easily seen through the double slit, because, like a wave going through the double slit, it causes diffraction, and an interference pattern. Particles moving through free space won't diffract, and we won't observe an interference.

Right but there is a concrete difference between a wave and a probability wave. Suppose we were to define the path taken by each photon by its Lagrangian, if we summed all the lagrangians wouldn't this be the particle wave? The question is does the apparatus (double-slit) interact with each photon in such a manner that the lagrangian is altered and thus an interference pattern forms OR do all particles have lagrangians that will eventually diverge into an interference pattern regardless of an apparatus present? Couldn't vacuum fluctuations cause a diffraction in free-space?
 

What is the double slit experiment and why is it important?

The double slit experiment is a fundamental experiment in quantum mechanics that demonstrates the wave-particle duality of matter and the principle of superposition. It involves shining a beam of particles, such as electrons or photons, through two parallel slits and observing the resulting interference pattern on a screen. This experiment is important because it challenges our understanding of the physical world and has implications for our understanding of the nature of reality.

What is interference and how does it relate to the double slit experiment?

Interference is the phenomenon of two or more waves overlapping and interacting with each other. In the double slit experiment, the particles behave like waves and interfere with each other as they pass through the two slits, resulting in an interference pattern on the screen. This interference pattern is a result of the wave-like behavior of the particles and is a key aspect of the experiment.

What are worldlines and how are they related to the double slit experiment?

Worldlines are a concept in physics that represents the path of an object through spacetime. In the double slit experiment, the particles have a range of possible paths they can take through the two slits. These paths can be represented as worldlines and can help us understand the behavior of the particles and the resulting interference pattern on the screen.

What is the significance of the observer effect in the double slit experiment?

The observer effect refers to the idea that the act of observing a phenomenon can influence its behavior. In the double slit experiment, the presence of an observer can affect the particles' behavior and the resulting interference pattern. This has implications for our understanding of the role of consciousness in quantum mechanics and the nature of reality.

How does the double slit experiment support the wave-particle duality of matter?

The double slit experiment supports the wave-particle duality of matter by showing that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviors. The particles in the experiment behave like waves as they pass through the two slits and produce an interference pattern, but they also behave like particles when they are observed hitting the screen. This experiment demonstrates that matter can have both wave and particle properties, challenging our traditional understanding of the physical world.

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