Possible for a particle to diffract around a barrier

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of quantum diffraction and its relevance to everyday experiences, specifically whether quantum effects can explain the phenomenon of missing a tennis ball. The scope includes theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics and its application to macroscopic scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that quantum theory allows for particles to diffract around barriers, questioning its implications for missing a tennis ball.
  • Others argue that the size of macroscopic objects like tennis balls and rackets makes quantum diffraction insignificant in this context.
  • One participant critiques the original thread's labeling as "advanced," suggesting a mismatch between the topic and the understanding displayed.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the situation is not a diffraction phenomenon, attributing the experience of missing the ball to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and claiming to have experimental data to support this view.
  • There is a suggestion that the establishment is reluctant to publish findings related to this experimental data.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the relevance of quantum diffraction to the experience of missing a tennis ball, with multiple competing views presented regarding the applicability of quantum mechanics to macroscopic scenarios.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the applicability of quantum mechanics to everyday experiences remain unresolved, and there is a lack of clarity regarding the experimental data mentioned.

rictor
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According to quantum theory it is possible for a particle to diffract around a barrier. Does this explain why I often seem to completely miss a tennis ball? Explain why or why not?
 
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rictor said:
Does this explain why I often seem to completely miss a tennis ball?

No. You and your tennis racket and the tennis ball are way too large for quantum diffraction to be significant.
 
By the way, you labeled this thread as "A", advanced. That indicates a graduate level understanding of the subject matter, which does not seem to reflect your actual understanding. I have re-labeled the thread level to "B".
 
rictor said:
According to quantum theory it is possible for a particle to diffract around a barrier. Does this explain why I often seem to completely miss a tennis ball? Explain why or why not?
As already stated this has nothing to do with QM :smile:. Tennis is pretty difficult, but fun. I think you have to train more. And observe the ball more accurately (sorry, I could not resist).
 
Its not a diffraction phenomena because there is no quantum tennis field.

it's about the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. I have lots of experimental tennis data to prove it.

The establishment won't publish it tho.
 

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