- #1
artkin76
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Initially I want to let everyone know that I came across these forums recently after searching for further information regarding various topics of theoretical physics, quantum mechanics, etc. and am astounded by the wealth of information here. I am very new to these ideas and am just beginning to grasp all the concepts involved.
My question is regarding quantum foam. I understand what is meant by the term (to the best of my ability at least). The way I understand it, as we talk about spacetime at a sub-Planck level, the 'smoothness' of it as described by General Relativity is replaced by a turbulent array of particles that crate enough energy (and therefore mass) to curve spacetime in drastic and decidedly 'unsmooth' ways.
First, is this admittedly simple explanation close in describing quantum foam?
Second, why does this happen? Is it because as distances get smaller and smaller, the corresponding wavelengths of particles (in the particle-wave duality sense) get shorter and shorter thereby creating more energy and therefore curving spacetime more dramatically?
Again, this is all very new to me. I was a government/history guy in college, never took any sort of high level physics class. Feel free to rip apart anything I've said.
My question is regarding quantum foam. I understand what is meant by the term (to the best of my ability at least). The way I understand it, as we talk about spacetime at a sub-Planck level, the 'smoothness' of it as described by General Relativity is replaced by a turbulent array of particles that crate enough energy (and therefore mass) to curve spacetime in drastic and decidedly 'unsmooth' ways.
First, is this admittedly simple explanation close in describing quantum foam?
Second, why does this happen? Is it because as distances get smaller and smaller, the corresponding wavelengths of particles (in the particle-wave duality sense) get shorter and shorter thereby creating more energy and therefore curving spacetime more dramatically?
Again, this is all very new to me. I was a government/history guy in college, never took any sort of high level physics class. Feel free to rip apart anything I've said.