Can a point-like particle really exist in a 0-dimensional universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of point-like particles and their dimensionality, specifically questioning whether such particles can truly exist in a 0-dimensional universe. Participants explore the implications of this idea in both mathematical and physical contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how a point-like particle can be considered 0-dimensional and whether it can exist physically or only as a mathematical concept.
  • One participant asserts that a point-like particle, despite having no internal dimensions, can exist within an external observer's space-time frame.
  • Another participant describes a point-like particle as a mathematical abstraction, suggesting it applies to entities like electrons but argues that common sense dictates they have a 3-dimensional extension, albeit too small to perceive.
  • There is mention of the idea that point-like particles can be viewed as "excitations of the field" or "wave functions," complicating the notion of their existence as particles.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the notion of a truly 0-dimensional particle existing, labeling it as pseudo-science, while others argue that this perspective is gaining traction among physicists, suggesting that our 3D space may not be fundamental to particles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the existence and nature of point-like particles in a 0-dimensional universe, with some supporting the idea and others dismissing it as pseudo-science. No consensus is reached on the validity of these perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the discussion, noting that the concept of dimensionality may depend on definitions and interpretations of physical reality versus mathematical abstraction. The discussion also touches on the evolving ideas in physics regarding the representation of particles.

ChrisisC
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How is it possible that a point like particle is 0 dimensional? Could it only
exist within pure mathematics? or actually exist physically in our universe?
 
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A point-like particle has no internal dimensions. It can still exist in an external observer's space-time frame.
 
A point-like particle, with exactly 0 dimensions, is a mathematical abstraction. As far as anyone knows it seems to apply to something like an electron. But the common-sense view would be that it has 3-d extension in space like any other physical object, it's just too small for us to experimentally perceive its size.

The question is complicated by the fact that it can, mathematically, be considered as an "excitation of the field", or as a "wave function". IOW it's not a particle at all but behaves like one, usually, from our point of view. That's certainly possible. Look up "soliton" for an example of analogous macroscopic wave behavior.

Another complication is that some physicists are willing to consider it actually 0-dimensional, and yet (somehow) existing anyway. IMO that's just pseudo-science.
 
secur said:
Another complication is that some physicists are willing to consider it actually 0-dimensional, and yet (somehow) existing anyway. IMO that's just pseudo-science.
To you maybe, but not to many well-respected physicists. It just requires the notion that our 3d space is not fundamental to the particle but part of an observer's representation of particles (just like temperature of a macroscopic system is a representation of the energy of constituent particles). This has been a growing idea for the last couple of decades. Check out, for example,

van Raamsdonk M., ``Building Up Space-Time With Quantum Entanglement'', Int. J. of Mod. Phys. D, 19 (14) 2429-2435 (2010)
 

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