New Proton Measurements: 4% Smaller - Implications

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the recent measurements suggesting that the proton may be 4% smaller than previously thought. Participants explore the accuracy of these measurements and the potential implications for physics, particularly in the context of quantum mechanics and atomic structure.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the accuracy of the new measurements, suggesting it may be premature to accept them as valid.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of the proton's size being smaller, with some participants making light-hearted comments about the concept of size in a humorous context.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the nature of quantum mechanics and its implications for measuring the size of subatomic particles, including the difficulty in defining a proton's size.
  • Participants mention the operational definitions of size and boundaries in quantum mechanics, noting that at such small scales, defining precise boundaries is challenging.
  • Several participants share links to external sources where the new measurements were discussed, indicating a desire for more information on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the new measurements, indicating a lack of consensus on their accuracy and implications. Multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of size in quantum mechanics.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in defining the size of particles due to the principles of quantum mechanics, which complicate precise measurements and the concept of boundaries.

Trexman89
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First of all, do you believe the new measurements are accurate and the proton is actually 4% smaller. If you do, What implications do you think this will have?
 
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Trexman89 said:
First of all, do you believe the new measurements are accurate and the proton is actually 4% smaller. If you do, What implications do you think this will have?

Hmmm, the old "does size matter?" question. Why not ask the electron, since she is his natural mate?
 
stevenb said:
Hmmm, the old "does size matter?" question. Why not ask the electron, since she is his natural mate?

lol, I don't think she'd notice if he's 4% smaller.
 
lmao... nice guys... hey all first post.

honestly i think its too soon to go around saying the new size is accurate.
 
Hm, I've always thought quantum mechanics didn't allow precise length measurements.
If it is hard to define what is the size of an atom, I'm wondering how to define a proton's size.

Where have you found this news?
 
Acut said:
Hm, I've always thought quantum mechanics didn't allow precise length measurements.
If it is hard to define what is the size of an atom, I'm wondering how to define a proton's size.

Where have you found this news?

It doesn't allow simultaneous precise measurements of observables that don't commute.
 
@zhermes
Thank you! I didn't know such definitions existed - I know very little QM, indeed.
 
  • #10
@Acut
np. The concept of "boundaries" in general is pretty wild. The table I'm writing on, has no clear boundaries: the surface is just the average location at which the electrons in my hands strongly repel the electrons in the wood. Our E&M fields interact at all distances, and with enough force we could become arbitrarily "close."
Crazy stuff! :)
 
  • #11
@zhermes
Yes, there are no sharp boundaries. In one of Feynman's lectures on Physics, a entire section is used to illustrate those blurred definitions.

By the way, I forgot asking... @ OP: where have you read about those new measurements?
 
  • #12
Acut said:
By the way, I forgot asking... @ OP: where have you read about those new measurements?

I'm not the OP (obviously), but I read about it http://www.physorg.com/news197727820.html" last month.
 
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