Higgs boson and the future of quantum phyiscs

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the implications of the Higgs boson discovery in quantum physics, particularly its relationship to the quantum nature of matter, wave-particle duality, and the uncertainty principle. Participants also explore Einstein's deterministic views in contrast to quantum mechanics' probabilistic nature, as well as the nature of the Higgs field and its relation to other particles in the Standard Model.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Higgs boson supports the Standard Model of particle physics, suggesting its presence was expected and confirming aspects of quantum physics.
  • Others argue that the discovery of the Higgs boson does not affect Einstein's deterministic views, asserting that quantum mechanics, particularly quantum entanglement, contradicts his statement about probability.
  • A participant seeks clarification on whether the Higgs discovery confirms the particle nature of the field, questioning if it implies the field is not continuous as Einstein believed.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of the Higgs field, with some participants suggesting it is analogous to the relationship between photons and the electromagnetic field, and questioning whether the Higgs particle creates the field or vice versa.
  • Some participants note that while the discovery of the Higgs boson suggests all Standard Model particles have been found, there are still unresolved issues, such as the lack of a graviton and the relationship between the Higgs boson and gravity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the Higgs boson for quantum mechanics and Einstein's philosophy. There is no consensus on the relationship between the Higgs field and the nature of particles or the implications for gravity.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in understanding the Higgs field and its implications for continuity versus discreteness in fields are noted. The discussion also highlights unresolved questions regarding the Standard Model and the nature of gravity.

ananthu
Messages
105
Reaction score
1
Can anybody throw light on the following doubts?

1.what is the implication of the recent discovery of the higgs boson in the quantum physics? Does it support the quantum nature of matter and wave and the uncertainty principle?
2. It is said that Einstein did not accept the quantum theory as it is based on probability of happenings but what Einstein believed in the deterministic theory of nature. He is said to quote those famous words" God does not play dice with the universe".What is the implication of the finding of the new particle regarding the above words of Einstein? Does the discovery of higgs boson make Eistein's words wrong or right?

I will be grateful if anybody explains in simple language about these aspects.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ananthu said:
Can anybody throw light on the following doubts?

1.what is the implication of the recent discovery of the higgs boson in the quantum physics? Does it support the quantum nature of matter and wave and the uncertainty principle?
Yes, the Higgs supports the Standard Model. The LACK of a Higgs would be a problem, but the presence of it was expected.

2. It is said that Einstein did not accept the quantum theory as it is based on probability of happenings but what Einstein believed in the deterministic theory of nature. He is said to quote those famous words" God does not play dice with the universe".What is the implication of the finding of the new particle regarding the above words of Einstein? Does the discovery of higgs boson make Eistein's words wrong or right?
no effect ... quantum mechanics in general and quantum entanglement in particular has already made that particular statement wrong.

EDIT: I might be wrong about the relationship between quantum entanglement and Einstein's preference for determinism, but quantum mechanics is definitely not deterministic.
 
Thanks for the reply. A little more elaborate discussion is welcome. What I want to clarify is that whether the recent discovery confirms the particle nature of the field. Which means then that the field is not continuous one as Einstein is said to believe strongly?

Also I could not understand what exactly this higgs filed is? Is it the field surrounding the so called Higgs boson? Does this field create the higgs particle or the vice versa?

With this discovery,are all the particles due in the standard model found? What about the hypothetical graviton? Has the higgs boson any thing to do with that?
 
I'm not expert on this, but it's all been discussed here many times ... I suggest you do forum searches
 
The Higgs particle has a similar relation to the Higgs field as the photon has to the electromagnetic field. All fields in the Standard model have associated particles. The existence of particles does not mean the fields aren't continuous. You can think of the particles as ripples in the fields. The association of fields and particles is a generic property of "quantum field theory," which is the mathematical framework used in particle physics. Quantum field theory has been our best description of particle physics since the 1940's or something.

With the discovery of the Higgs, if it is indeed the standard model Higgs, all the particles of the standard model have been found. However the standard model has a few dissatisfying properties which suggest that there is more to find.

For example, the standard model does not include gravity, which is handled separately by the theory of general relativity. So the Higgs boson has nothing to do with gravity or gravitons.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K