Can an atom be anywhere in space?

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    Atom Space
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of an atom's position in space, exploring whether atoms can occupy any location or if their movement is constrained by certain conditions. Participants engage with theoretical implications, paradoxes, and the nature of particle movement, touching on quantum physics and philosophical considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant compares space to a checkerboard, suggesting that atoms can only exist in certain locations and questioning the possibility of overlapping positions.
  • Another participant argues that if atoms could exist in an infinite number of locations, it would imply an infinite time requirement to move, referencing Zeno's paradox.
  • A third participant warns against overly speculative ideas and personal theories, suggesting a need for adherence to community guidelines.
  • One post humorously questions the distinction between a finite and infinite number of "crackpots" in discussions, indicating a playful tone in addressing the topic.
  • Several participants raise a question about the nature of particle movement, specifically whether particles must traverse infinitely small distances or if they can "jump" between points without occupying intermediate positions.
  • Another participant reiterates the question about particle movement and emphasizes that it is a flawed argument, suggesting that it is poorly formed in the context of quantum physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of atomic positions and movement, with no consensus reached on the validity of the arguments presented. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments rely on philosophical interpretations and paradoxes, while others invoke principles from quantum physics. The discussion includes references to well-known paradoxes, indicating a complexity in the questions raised that may not have straightforward answers.

clisp
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Is space like a checker board where the pieces can only be in certain places like X X X X X
X X X XoX
X X X X X
o being a mass and X being the border which the mass can cross but not exist in.
I thought that these places could over lap
 
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it seems that to have an infinite number of locations an atom exists would mean that it would take infinite time to move an atom one inch

Now that's just silly. See Zeno's paradox of Achilles and the tortoise
 
clisp, You need to take a look at the PF Guidelines, particularly the part warning against posting of overly speculative ideas and personal theories.
 
If there are a finite number of crackpots spread evenly throughout space, forever dissipating and reforming under new usernames as they are banished from places of light, could we distinguish this from the case of an infinite number of crackpots? :confused:
 
Well basically since I have never heard of anyone being able to trace a particle on it's exact path from one point to another that I would ask someone who might have.
The question is still there.
When traveling particle goes from 0 to 1 distance away does a particle have to go through .1, .11, .111, .1111, .11111 distance or does it jump from .1 strait to .2 with no infinitely small point in space in between.
 
clisp said:
Well basically since I have never heard of anyone being able to trace a particle on it's exact path from one point to another that I would ask someone who might have.
The question is still there.
When traveling particle goes from 0 to 1 distance away does a particle have to go through .1, .11, .111, .1111, .11111 distance or does it jump from .1 strait to .2 with no infinitely small point in space in between.

Folks are trying to tell you nicely that this is a well-known flawed argument. See Zeno's paradox and please understand that this is a poorly formed question in the world of quantum physics.
 

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