Hypothetical Question About Particles & Movement

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of measuring the velocity of a sub-atomic particle, such as a proton or electron, when pushed a distance of 1 Planck length. Participants conclude that while the velocity can be calculated as distance divided by time, the measurement of time at such a minuscule scale presents significant challenges due to limitations in current laboratory equipment. The Planck length, while defined in quantum mechanics, does not hold special significance when quantum interactions are excluded, rendering the problem trivial. The conversation emphasizes the need to focus on chemistry, especially with an impending exam.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sub-atomic particles (protons, electrons)
  • Familiarity with Planck length and its significance in quantum mechanics
  • Basic knowledge of velocity calculation (distance/time)
  • Awareness of limitations in measuring quantum-scale phenomena
NEXT STEPS
  • Research quantum mechanics and the implications of Planck length
  • Explore advanced measurement techniques in particle physics
  • Study the relationship between mass and speed of particles
  • Investigate the principles of quantum gravity and its relevance to particle movement
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics and chemistry, particularly those preparing for exams, as well as researchers interested in particle physics and quantum mechanics.

InfiniteEntity
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I was watching videos on YouTube and this question suddenly popped into my head: If I was able to push a sub-atomic particle (proton, electron, etc...) a distance of 1 Planck length. Excluding all the quantum interactions and uncertainties, is it possible to measure/calculate how fast the particle would be going? Or how much time it takes for it to travel that distance?

I was thinking that it would travel at the speed of light, making it easy to determine the time taken, but I figured that since the particles are not of mass-less property, they cannot travel at the speed of light.

P.S I have a chemistry exam tomorrow and I'm thinking of this thing. Help me.
 
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Yes, the velocity would just be the distance divided by the time taken to travel that distance. The Planck length is nothing special in this regard.
 
That's fine. But then, how would you really measure the time taken by the particle? Is there any sort of special equipment (if measurable) or equation (if calculable) needed other than just knowing or assuming the value?
 
InfiniteEntity said:
That's fine. But then, how would you really measure the time taken by the particle? Is there any sort of special equipment (if measurable) or equation (if calculable) needed other than just knowing or assuming the value?
The times and distances involved are much smaller than we can measure with our best available lab equipment, so it's possible (and good reasons to think it's likely) that some as not unknown physics will appear at that scale. But based on what we know so far, there's nothing special about the Planck length; it's just a distance like any other.
 
InfiniteEntity said:
Excluding all the quantum interactions and uncertainties

This sort of makes the problem completely trivial, because the Planck length is defined using quantum mechanics (and is expected to be important for quantum gravity). If you ignore the theory that makes it significant, then it is not significant, and you're just moving a particle by a particular length scale.
 
InfiniteEntity said:
P.S I have a chemistry exam tomorrow and I'm thinking of this thing. Help me.

Concentrate on the chemistry!
 

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