- #1
airydisc2004
- 7
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Hi
New to this forum. I am not a physicist (maths ), but have a healthy curiosity and interest in Quantum physics.
I have a question regarding the Pauli Exclusion Principle. From what I have understood previously, this applies to a single atom or maybe atoms in close proximity. So, no two fermions (e.g electrons) in a system can exist in the same quantum state. It is possible for two electrons to have the same quantum energy states providing they have opposite spin, but that's it.
In a book I am reading by Brian Cox and Jeff Foreshaw "Everything that can happen does Happen", it is very clear that they are saying that if an electron changes its energy state, somewhere, even the other side of the universe, another electron responds instantaneously so that the two electrons are not in the same energy state.
My questions are based on three levels.
1. Instantaneous response over distance violates Relativity, although they cover this in the book by saying that its only messaging at faster than c that is prohibited. Surely any response to an event or action is via messaging? Cause and effect? If we are saying that we have an electron in one place in the universe that changes its quantum state in response to another electron in another part of the universe changing its state, where does the trigger or cause for this change come from, in order to provide instantaneous change?
2. If we imagine that the entire universe can be considered as a single "system", then we can imagine a state where all energy levels are "known", (all quantum particles are in ownership of, or aware of the state or condition of all other particles). In which case, why is it that an electron can change its quantum state in the first place, because by doing so, it is moving into an energy state already occupied by another electron. If the change is instant, this should not happen should it?
3. Is there any merit in the idea that if there are, say, 1081 electrons in the universe, then there are 1081 quantum energy states available?
Please excuse the naivety, this is all new to me, but fascinating.
Airydisc
New to this forum. I am not a physicist (maths ), but have a healthy curiosity and interest in Quantum physics.
I have a question regarding the Pauli Exclusion Principle. From what I have understood previously, this applies to a single atom or maybe atoms in close proximity. So, no two fermions (e.g electrons) in a system can exist in the same quantum state. It is possible for two electrons to have the same quantum energy states providing they have opposite spin, but that's it.
In a book I am reading by Brian Cox and Jeff Foreshaw "Everything that can happen does Happen", it is very clear that they are saying that if an electron changes its energy state, somewhere, even the other side of the universe, another electron responds instantaneously so that the two electrons are not in the same energy state.
My questions are based on three levels.
1. Instantaneous response over distance violates Relativity, although they cover this in the book by saying that its only messaging at faster than c that is prohibited. Surely any response to an event or action is via messaging? Cause and effect? If we are saying that we have an electron in one place in the universe that changes its quantum state in response to another electron in another part of the universe changing its state, where does the trigger or cause for this change come from, in order to provide instantaneous change?
2. If we imagine that the entire universe can be considered as a single "system", then we can imagine a state where all energy levels are "known", (all quantum particles are in ownership of, or aware of the state or condition of all other particles). In which case, why is it that an electron can change its quantum state in the first place, because by doing so, it is moving into an energy state already occupied by another electron. If the change is instant, this should not happen should it?
3. Is there any merit in the idea that if there are, say, 1081 electrons in the universe, then there are 1081 quantum energy states available?
Please excuse the naivety, this is all new to me, but fascinating.
Airydisc