The problem with measuring short distances

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    Measuring Short
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the challenges and limitations of measuring very short distances in physics, particularly in relation to the energy required and the potential formation of black holes. Participants explore the implications of these limitations and seek clarification on the underlying principles and references related to this phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that measuring shorter distances requires increasingly high energy, which could lead to the creation of black holes, thus limiting measurement capabilities.
  • Others question the validity of this claim and seek references to support it, indicating a desire for more rigorous backing of the assertions made.
  • A participant references a video that discusses the mass limit of elementary particles before they might become black holes, although they later express uncertainty about its relevance to the original claim.
  • Another participant challenges the assertion made in the referenced video, suggesting that it is not a proven theorem but rather a speculation within the context of quantum gravity, which remains unconfirmed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity and implications of the claims regarding energy, measurement limits, and black hole formation, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of references and clarity on the claims made, highlighting the need for further exploration of definitions and assumptions related to the energy requirements and the conditions under which black holes might form.

Higgsono
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When we try to measure shorter and shorter distances. eventually we have to put in so much energy into such a small space that it creates a black holes, thus makes it impossible see inside. So there is a limitation to how small distances we can measure.

Exacly how does this happen? Why do we need so much energy to measure a very short distance? How is the black hole created?
 
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Higgsono said:
When we try to measure shorter and shorter distances. eventually we have to put in so much energy into such a small space that it creates a black holes

Can you give a reference for where you learned this?
 
PeterDonis said:
Can you give a reference for where you learned this?

If you fast forward to 21m and 15 seconds in the following video, the speaker describes why there is a limit on how massive a elementary particle can be before it turns into a black hole.



(I realized after I posted this that it may not be what the original poster was referring to)
 
PeterDonis said:
Can you give a reference for where you learned this?

I'm sorry. I don't remember the references. I'm not sure what to search for either.
 
mike1000 said:
the speaker describes why there is a limit on how massive a elementary particle can be before it turns into a black hole

He doesn't say why; he just asserts it. To the best of my knowledge, it's not a proven theorem; it's just a plausible speculation in quantum gravity that most particle physicists think will be confirmed when we actually have a theory of quantum gravity.
 

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