Question about the uncertainty principle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of the uncertainty principle in the context of particles approaching the singularity of a black hole. Participants explore the relationship between position, velocity, and the limitations of measurement in extreme gravitational environments, as well as the challenges of integrating quantum mechanics with general relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the uncertainty principle indicates that one cannot know both the position and velocity of a particle simultaneously, questioning if this applies when a particle is sent into a black hole's singularity.
  • Another participant clarifies that the uncertainty principle refers to the limits of measurement precision and suggests that measuring anything at the singularity is impossible due to the breakdown of physical laws.
  • A question is raised about the ability to measure anything about the singularity from behind the event horizon.
  • One participant emphasizes that answering questions about singularities requires reference to specific quantum gravity theories, noting that some theories eliminate classical singularities while others modify the uncertainty principle.
  • A request for literature on quantum gravity is made, indicating interest in understanding the complexities of unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity.
  • Another participant provides resources, warning about the advanced mathematics involved in quantum gravity theories and recommending a blog by an expert in the field for further guidance.
  • A later post reiterates the initial question about the uncertainty principle and the singularity, suggesting misunderstandings about the nature of the principle and the implications of singularities in black holes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the uncertainty principle in relation to black hole singularities. There is no consensus on how the principle applies in this extreme context, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of quantum gravity theories and their interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of current understanding regarding singularities and the necessity of specific quantum gravity theories to address the questions raised. The discussion reflects the ongoing challenges in reconciling quantum mechanics with general relativity.

Spas Stoilov
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The uncertainty principle says that you can't know position and velocity of particle at the same time. So particular we can not say that the particle is at rest at some point because then we would know it is not moving and we would know exactly where it is.
So my question is if we send the particle into the singularity of a black hole can we say that the particle does not move and we know exactly where it is? Оr the uncertainty still exist and we can say, we do know exactly where the particle is, but we do not know its velocity.

Thank you for your attention!
 
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Well, actually the uncertainty principle says that we cannot measure position and velocity with arbitrary precision. Point is, if you send a particle in the singularity of a black hole we cannot measure anything (no way to extract information from there). So your gedanken experiment seems not very well crafted. And that even without mentioning that you must modify a theory in the regimes when singular point arise (quantum gravity theories are trying to do that).
 
So even if I'm behind the horizon i can not measure anything about singularity?
 
Your question cannot be answered without a reference to a specific quantum gravity theory: there are theories who get rid of of the (classical) singularity and others that propose to modify the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
In the first case the uncertainty principle predictions still holds. For the second case I cannot answer, I don't remember the detail of the modifications proposed.
 
Can you tell me a literature which i can start read and i learn more about quantum gravity and why it's so difficult to unite the two theories?

Thanks for the feedback :)
 
Here you would probably find all of what you are asking, perhaps even too much: https://arxiv.org/archive/gr-qc (also https://arxiv.org/archive/hep-th, but only related to string theory approach).

A big warning: technical details of quantum gravity theories are really, really hard to follow without a robust knowledge on very advanced mathemathics.

In order to have some guidance over quantum gravity problems, so at least you can have some idea on this subject, I suggest you to follow the wonderful Sabine Hossenfelder blog: https://backreaction.blogspot.com/

She is not only a great expert in quantum gravity, but also very much agnostic on the specifics of the various theories.

Have fun!
 
Spas Stoilov said:
The uncertainty principle says that you can't know position and velocity of particle at the same time. So particular we can not say that the particle is at rest at some point because then we would know it is not moving and we would know exactly where it is.
So my question is if we send the particle into the singularity of a black hole can we say that the particle does not move and we know exactly where it is? Оr the uncertainty still exist and we can say, we do know exactly where the particle is, but we do not know its velocity.

Thank you for your attention!

There is quite a bit of misunderstanding in this post. The uncertainty principle is not about measurement but about quantum state preparation, there are plenty of threads about this. Secondly, a singularity of a black hole is equivalent to saying no one knows what happens here because General Relativity breaks down and there is no quantum theory to replace it .

Cheers
 
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