Is Physics Truly Scale-Dependent and How Does Decoupling Occur?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter samalkhaiat
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Knowledge
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Physics is inherently scale-dependent, requiring distinct theories for different scales due to varying degrees of freedom and dynamics. Larger scale physics decouples from smaller scale physics, retaining only a finite number of parameters, such as mass and charge, necessary for understanding phenomena like atomic behavior. This decoupling is crucial for simplifying complex systems, allowing for a comprehensive understanding without delving into quantum field theory for macroscopic objects. Key concepts in this discussion include the correspondence principle, invariance principles, and renormalization group methods.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of scale-dependent physics
  • Familiarity with the correspondence principle
  • Knowledge of invariance principles
  • Basic comprehension of renormalization group methods
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of the correspondence principle in modern physics
  • Research invariance principles and their applications in theoretical physics
  • Study renormalization group methods and their role in quantum field theory
  • Investigate case studies demonstrating decoupling in physical theories
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, researchers in theoretical physics, and students interested in the foundational concepts of scale-dependence and decoupling in physical theories.

samalkhaiat
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Messages
1,801
Reaction score
1,199
Hi,
I would like to know your thoughts about the following two fact in physics;

1) Physics is scale-dependent; at each scale of distences we have different degrees of freedom and different dynamics, we need a different theory.
2) Physics at a larger scale decoples from the physics at smaller scale. More precisely, a theory at a larger scale remember only finite number of parameters from the theories at smaller scale. For example, if we want to describe atoms, we do not need to know anything about the nucleus except its mass and charge. This decopling is the reason behind our current understanding of the world.If there was no decopling, it would be necessary for us to know quantum field theory to bescribe the motion of rigid body.

The aim is to explain;
1) how this decopling takes place,
2) why information is transmitted from scale to scale through finite number of parameters.

Try to incorporate in your thoughts as much as you can of the following;
i) correspondence principle,
ii) invariance principles,
iii) renormalization group methods.

thanks

sam
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
668
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
12K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K