Quantum Entanglement at the Big Bang

In summary: Third, particles in the universe did not interact with each other while in that state. What you are asking for is impossible because the vast majority of the observable universe has never been in direct/causal contact with this region of space we currently occupy.Fourth, it is incorrect to say that every particle interacted with every other particle. The vast majority of the universe interacted with nothing.Fifth, if you want to talk about how our minds interact with the universe, that is a separate question and is beyond the scope of this answer.
  • #1
Louie-Pismo
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Because the universe started as a point of almost infinite density, wouldn't that mean that every particle in the universe interacted with one another while in that state, crammed together, thereby causing all the particles in the universe to be entangled, including those particles that created human life. If so, what could it mean that our minds, which are entangled with everything we observe in the universe, cause the wave function to collapse. It would seem that our minds are part of the same wave function, so how can the wave function cause itself to collapse?
 
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  • #2
Louie-Pismo said:
Because the universe started as a point of almost infinite density, wouldn't that mean that every particle in the universe interacted with one another while in that state, crammed together, thereby causing all the particles in the universe to be entangled, including those particles that created human life. If so, what could it mean that our minds, which are entangled with everything we observe in the universe, cause the wave function to collapse. It would seem that our minds are part of the same wave function, so how can the wave function cause itself to collapse?

Welcome to PhysicsForums, Louie-Pismo!

Your question is not formulated in a manner suitable to a direct answer. Science centers around testable observations. In that sense, the answer to your question would generally be no.

First, every particle in the universe did not interact with every other particle. As far as we know, the vast majority of the observable universe has never been in direct/causal contact with this region of space we currently occupy. That may seem impossible, but due to the rapid early inflation this is the standard conclusion. It is always possible that there was an earlier point in time when your condition was met, however, that is pure speculation.

Second, interacting with a particle does not in and of itself cause entanglement. I interact with my keyboard as I write this, yet we are not entangled. At least, not too much. :smile:
 
  • #3
Louie-Pismo said:
If so, what could it mean that our minds, which are entangled with everything we observe in the universe, cause the wave function to collapse. It would seem that our minds are part of the same wave function, so how can the wave function cause itself to collapse?
What you probably don't realize is that a subsystem of a larger system is usually not describable by a wavefunction. You have to use the so-called density matrix, which reduces to a statistical mixture of wave functions in the case of maximal entanglement with the environment.

This opens the door for many interpretations to get rid of the collapse. The many worlds interpretation interprets this statistical mixture as different worlds, which don't interact. Bohmian mechanics says that the actual state is determined by hidden variables. The statistical interpretation says, that QM is only a theory about these statistical mixtures. And so on.

The standard Copenhagen interpretation however is quite close to DrChinese's comment. It says that it is meaningless to try to describe the measurement process completely quantum mechanically, because in order to get knowledge, we have to separate at least ourselfs from the system we are trying to measure.
 
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  • #4
Louie-Pismo said:
Because the universe started as a point of almost infinite density, wouldn't that mean that every particle in the universe interacted with one another while in that state, crammed together, thereby causing all the particles in the universe to be entangled, including those particles that created human life. If so, what could it mean that our minds, which are entangled with everything we observe in the universe, cause the wave function to collapse. It would seem that our minds are part of the same wave function, so how can the wave function cause itself to collapse?

A couple of notes on your terminology

First, the universe is not generally believed to have started as a point, for a number of reasons, observed isotropy being one fundamental reason.

Second "almost infinite" is a nonsense phrase. "Infinite" is a binary characteristic --- something either is or is not infinite. No matter how large a number you posit, the distance from that number to infinity is infinity. I realize you may well already understand this and were just using sloppy terminology, but I point it out in case you do NOT already understand it.
 

1. What is quantum entanglement at the Big Bang?

Quantum entanglement at the Big Bang refers to the theory that at the beginning of the universe, particles were interconnected in a way that their properties are correlated and dependent on each other, even when separated by vast distances.

2. How does quantum entanglement at the Big Bang relate to the Big Bang theory?

Quantum entanglement at the Big Bang is a concept that is still being explored and studied, but it is believed to have played a role in the early stages of the universe's expansion and the formation of matter. It helps to explain how particles were able to communicate and interact with each other in the chaotic and rapidly expanding environment of the Big Bang.

3. Can quantum entanglement at the Big Bang be observed or measured?

Currently, there is no way to directly observe or measure quantum entanglement at the Big Bang. However, scientists are able to observe its effects on particles and their properties through experiments and calculations.

4. How does quantum entanglement at the Big Bang impact our understanding of the universe?

Quantum entanglement at the Big Bang is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and provides insight into the interconnectedness and complexity of the universe. It also has potential implications for technologies such as quantum computing.

5. Is there evidence of quantum entanglement at the Big Bang?

While there is no direct evidence of quantum entanglement at the Big Bang, there have been experiments that demonstrate its effects on particles. Additionally, theoretical models and calculations support the existence of quantum entanglement at the beginning of the universe.

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