- #1
houlahound
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Why is this a word if it has no meaning. Is there a physics meaning of nothing.
Actually, now that you bring it up, a good definition of "nothing" is "the scientific value of Michio Kaku's statements on physics in the last few years".Chestermiller said:You've been watching too many H & R Block tax preparation commercials on TV. We're all anxious to hear what Micheo Kaku says.
And how does that work as a definition in physics?PeTrichOr12 said:Nothing is the just the opposite of everything I believe
I don't think so. That's a math thing. This is a physics question.Landru said:I think this is what you're looking for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_(mathematics)
phinds said:I don't think so. That's a math thing. This is a physics question.
Of course, but I think not in this case.Landru said:Math is sometimes employed in physics, so there tends to be overlap.
Yes, that's my point. The question here is not about math but about physics and the universe.Landru said:The important thing to know is that "null" is not the same as "zero", "no value" versus "a value of zero", and so the meaning of "nothing" depends on which more specific word or definition it's making reference to.
Not offhand but it's important to keep in mind that, as Alfred Korzybski said, the map is not the territory.Landru said:Can you give an example of where the distinction becomes important?
phinds said:"nothing" is very contentious in Physics, and is best avoided.
"A Universe from Nothing" for example, means different things to different people.
Adding the word "truly" in front of the word nothing does little to clarify things.houlahound said:I think it is a reasonable physics question to ask ie;
if there is a possibility that a volume of truly nothing; has ever, does, or can ever exist.
The concept of "nothing" in physics refers to the absence of any physical matter or energy. It is often described as a vacuum or empty space.
According to the laws of physics, it is not possible for a true state of "nothingness" to exist in the universe. Even in the emptiest regions of space, there are still particles and fluctuations in energy present.
The Big Bang Theory suggests that the universe began as a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature. This can be thought of as a state of "nothingness" before the explosion that led to the creation of the universe as we know it.
Yes, the concept of "nothing" is relevant to quantum mechanics as it explores the behavior of particles at a subatomic level. The uncertainty principle states that even in a vacuum, particles and energy can appear and disappear at random, challenging the idea of a true state of "nothingness".
The concept of "nothing" is a fundamental aspect of our understanding of the universe and its origins. It challenges our perception of what can exist and how the laws of physics govern the behavior of matter and energy. It also raises philosophical questions about the nature of existence and the role of consciousness in perceiving "nothing".