Probability rate of calculation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of probability rates in particle interactions, emphasizing that simulating physical systems on computers requires non-zero time for dynamic calculations. It highlights that computations can occur in polynomial time, where the time grows at a manageable rate relative to the number of particles, or in exponential time, which is less efficient. The conversation also notes that nature does not require time to "calculate" actions, indicating a fundamental difference between computational models and natural processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics and interactions
  • Familiarity with computational complexity, specifically polynomial and exponential time
  • Knowledge of simulation techniques in computational physics
  • Basic grasp of probability theory as it applies to physical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research computational complexity in physics simulations
  • Explore algorithms for simulating particle interactions
  • Learn about polynomial time vs. exponential time in computational theory
  • Investigate the principles of probability in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, computer scientists, and researchers involved in simulations of physical systems, particularly those interested in the computational aspects of particle interactions and probability calculations.

Simontmitchell
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi all
I'm sure this has been asked before and I'm hoping someone be kind enough to direct me to the answer. Which is probably 'you're question is nuts' :)
Particles interact with each other and this affects the probability of where they are? Right so far I hope. This probability has to be calculated somehow (by the particle)? What is the speed of the calculation? Infinite?
Thank you
Simon
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you simulate a physical system with a computer, it takes some non-zero time to calculate the dynamics. Sometimes it's possible to do the computation in ##\textit{polynomial time}##, meaning that the time requirement grows no faster than some power of the number of particles in the system. Sometimes the time requirement grows exponentially.

Nature itself does not need time to "calculate" what to do, at least there is no evidence that it would.
 
Hi Hilbert2
Really appreciate you taking the time!
Thank you very much
Simon
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Probability of finding a particle outside its light cone
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad How strong is the justification for low probability extreme thermal fluctuations?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
High School Can probability waves be "focused"?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Undergrad Could the probability distribution itself be quantised?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Derive the probability of spin at arbitrary angle is cos( )
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Fermis golden rule and transition rates
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad The Extended Wigner's Friend Scenarios
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
6K
Undergrad Does a qubit break interference in the double slit experiment?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Graduate Superposition / Probability Wave - frame rate problem?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Feedback on Educational Script: What's a particle in QFT?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K