Solving the Most Complex Physical Features of Nature: How Far Off Are We?

[cjackson]

I've been reading Brian Greene's books and he says the math for describing even the simplest physical phenomenon in the real world is wildly complex, thus physicist use vastly simplified models. Since current math is insufficient to describe everything in the universe and a final theory, will humans ever be able to figure out the most complex physical features of nature? Would quantum computers be able to find the final theory, determine if worm holes can exist, etc.? How far off are we from this lofty goal?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I'm sorry you are not generating any responses at the moment. Is there any additional information you can share with us? Any new findings?

 

[mathman]

I've been reading Brian Greene's books and he says the math for describing even the simplest physical phenomenon in the real world is wildly complex, thus physicist use vastly simplified models. Since current math is insufficient to describe everything in the universe and a final theory, will humans ever be able to figure out the most complex physical features of nature? Would quantum computers be able to find the final theory, determine if worm holes can exist, etc.? How far off are we from this lofty goal?

You jumped to a conclusion, in your second sentence, that doesn't follow from you first sentence. The limitation is not on mathematics but on people (mainly physicists) coming up with a final theory. String theory and loop quantum gravity are current attempts, but neither has been able to propose a critical experiment.

 

[Matterwave]

I've been reading Brian Greene's books and he says the math for describing even the simplest physical phenomenon in the real world is wildly complex, thus physicist use vastly simplified models. Since current math is insufficient to describe everything in the universe and a final theory, will humans ever be able to figure out the most complex physical features of nature? Would quantum computers be able to find the final theory, determine if worm holes can exist, etc.? How far off are we from this lofty goal?

Complex doesn't mean non-existant. Greene is not saying the mathematical models are non-existant, but that the problems are very hard to solve. Perhaps we can find a new mathematics that describes things easier, in a more simple language, that we can solve. But perhaps we just have to be clever with our current mathematics. The answer is unknown.