How does the two-slit experiment challenge our understanding of particle motion?

[CoreyCapone]

I don't like the idea of superposition and have been thinking about this, would like to know what you guys think...

Imagine motion of a particle creates a wave in the particles surrounding it, much like your hand waving through the air creates a wave that would move dust that was floating in its path. Now imagine an "air-wave" like that is created by the motion of the electrons being shot at the two-slits. An electron is shot into motion towards the two slits, it's motion creates a wave in the particles/air around it, this "air-wave" passes through both slits, the "air-waves" now collide on the other side altering the path of the electron. Since the mass of electrons is so miniscule its path could be altered by the smallest amount of force.

Thoughts?

 

[Cthugha]

I don't like the idea of superposition and have been thinking about this, would like to know what you guys think...

Welcome to these forums. Not liking something is not really a good way to do science. What counts is whether theory is in agreement with experiment, not whether it is pleasant or likable.

Imagine motion of a particle creates a wave in the particles surrounding it, much like your hand waving through the air creates a wave that would move dust that was floating in its path. Now imagine an "air-wave" like that is created by the motion of the electrons being shot at the two-slits. An electron is shot into motion towards the two slits, it's motion creates a wave in the particles/air around it, this "air-wave" passes through both slits, the "air-waves" now collide on the other side altering the path of the electron. Since the mass of electrons is so miniscule its path could be altered by the smallest amount of force.

This can be simply ruled out by two things: First, the double slit works well (and even best) in vacuum with no air around to create such a wave. Second, if you think that the mass of electrons is so tiny compared to the stuff pushing it around, then why does this tiny little mass create such an air wave and push these particles with much larger mass around in the beginning? That does not really make sense.

 

[CoreyCapone]

Second, if you think that the mass of electrons is so tiny compared to the stuff pushing it around, then why does this tiny little mass create such an air wave and push these particles with much larger mass around in the beginning? That does not really make sense.

By I don't like it I just meant that's the reason I'm thinking about this, but yeah i didn't think about the mass of the electron being small affecting the wave its motion would create, thanks

 

[Whovian]

There are probably interpretations of QM that don't rely on superposition. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpretations_of_quantum_mechanics

 

[Mark M]

Welcome to the forum Corey!

Corey, not liking a scientific theory is no reason to object to it. Look at Fred Hoyle, just because he did not like the big bang theory, he wasted much effort developing the steady state model, only to have it turn out to be incorrect.

Well, air waves diverting the path of an electron isn't an acceptable explanation, as the same result would still be received if performed in a vacuum, without any air.

There is an interpretation known as the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation, that posits a wavefunction that is separate from the actual particle, and guides it.

A few physicists managed to create a macroscopic superposition in 2000. You can read about it here.