The discussion centers on the behavior of photons when interacting with glass, specifically regarding their reflection and transmission. It is established that photons prepared identically exhibit random behavior, with no underlying explanation for the behavior of individual photons. This randomness challenges traditional notions of causality, as identical particles cannot have a definitive cause for their behavior. While some interpretations maintain causality, they do not provide a true root cause for the behavior observed.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, quantum mechanics students, and anyone interested in the philosophical implications of randomness and causality in particle behavior.
skydivephil said:If I fire photons at a glass, some will be reflected back and some will go through. Which ones is by deifnition random, sincee all photons are exactly alike. Is this correct?
DrChinese said:Yes. exactly. Obviously, you could create exceptions if you had to. But the general rule is that photons prepared identically will behave at random at there is no underlying explanation for behavior of an individual.
skydivephil said:and hence traditional notions of causality are undemrined as there can be no cause if the underlying particles are identical?