Would an idea be a particle or a wave or both?

In summary, the conversation discusses the idea of thought being used as a tool for measurement in quantum physics and whether it can control the outcome of an atom's decision to be a particle or a wave. However, this assumption is oversimplified and the concept of "measurement" is more complex and involves human interpretation. It is recommended to further explore this topic before making any conclusions.
  • #1
Sksisme
2
0
If an Atom doesn't decide if it will be a particle or a wave until it is measured, and we assume thought is the tool for measurement...In quantum physics would an idea be a particle or a wave or both?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
More likely a wave. Hopefully a brain wave.
 
  • Like
Likes CalcNerd and tom aaron
  • #3
If thought could be used as the tool for measurement, and the measurement is the trigger for an atom to make decisions could we control the decision outcome? But as I understand it the "observer" is the influence that makes the atom decide to be a particle. If that is true would thought be considered an observer and therefore can only lead to a particle outcome or can thought be considered non-visual. If it is non-visual does that mean it would have no impact on the outcome?
 
  • #4
Sksisme said:
... and we assume thought is the tool for measurement.
That would be a bad assumption. It is observation/detection that triggers the collapse.
 
  • #5
Sksisme said:
If an Atom doesn't decide if it will be a particle or a wave until it is measured

This is a common pop science statement, but it's a serious oversimplification. "Measurement" is simply an interaction that can change the state of the atom. Some states have useful particle interpretations, some don't; some states have useful wave interpretations, some don't. And in any case, "particle" and "wave" are not intrinsic physical attributes of an atom or its states; they are labels that we humans put on certain states to help us try to understand what's going on. If we choose to change the label we use because the atom underwent some interaction and changed its state, that's our choice as humans trying to analyze the experiment; the atom didn't "decide" anything, we did.
 
  • Like
Likes bhobba
  • #6
Sksisme said:
If an Atom doesn't decide if it will be a particle or a wave until it is measured, and we assume thought is the tool for measurement...

As a starting assumption, this is a near-hopeless oversimplification of a fairly subtle issue. There are many threads here discussing the role of conscious thought and the notions of wave/particle duality and particles "choosing" to be one or the other, and I suggest that you work your way through some of them so that you can start on more solid ground.

This thread is closed.
 
  • Like
Likes bhobba

Related to Would an idea be a particle or a wave or both?

1. Would an idea be considered a particle or a wave?

This is a highly debated question in the scientific community. Some argue that ideas are purely abstract and therefore cannot be classified as either a particle or a wave. Others suggest that ideas can manifest physically in the brain, making them more similar to particles. Ultimately, it is still a topic of ongoing research and discussion.

2. Can an idea exhibit properties of both a particle and a wave?

Yes, it is possible for an idea to exhibit characteristics of both a particle and a wave. This is known as wave-particle duality and has been observed in subatomic particles such as electrons. However, whether this applies to ideas is still uncertain.

3. How would the concept of an idea being a particle or a wave impact our understanding of consciousness?

The concept of an idea being a particle or a wave has significant implications for our understanding of consciousness. If ideas can be classified as particles, it suggests that they have a physical basis and can be studied using scientific methods. On the other hand, if ideas are considered waves, it implies a more abstract and complex nature of consciousness.

4. Are there any experiments that have been conducted to test whether ideas are particles or waves?

As of now, there have been no experiments specifically designed to test whether ideas are particles or waves. However, some studies have looked at brain activity when individuals are generating ideas, which may provide insights into the physical nature of ideas.

5. How do different theories of quantum mechanics relate to the concept of an idea being a particle or a wave?

The concept of an idea being a particle or a wave is closely tied to the principles of quantum mechanics. Some theories, such as the Copenhagen interpretation, suggest that particles exist in a superposition of states until observed, similar to how ideas can exist in a state of potential until they are consciously recognized. Other theories propose that particles and waves are just different ways of describing the same underlying reality, which could also apply to ideas.

Similar threads

I "Wave-particle duality" and double-slit experiment
    • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
A Can particles appear and disappear "with" a cause?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
1
Views
665
I Feedback on Educational Script: What's a particle in QFT?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
5
Views
352
I Exploring Microscopic Particles: Interactions & Measurement
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
4
Views
884
A Can wave particle dualism be replaced by a monistic model?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
2
Views
470
B Wave-particle duality of atoms and molecules
    • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
A Does Matter Really Move Like a Wave and Hit Like a Particle?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
4
Views
411
B Frequency of an EM wave in Classical and Quantum Physics
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
841
B Are Schrodinger's cat and the double slit experiment the same idea?
    • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
42
Views
1K
I Measurement problem - will this work?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
3
Views
311

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top