Using the double slit experiment to predict our own actions

In summary: So, for example, if you want to know the position of a particle in a particular state, you don't need to actually look at it; you can just measure its position as a function of time. But if you want to know the momentum of the particle, you have to have an apparatus that can measure its momentum as a function of space.
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fendur2
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I'm new to quantum physics and the double slit experiment. If the person running the experiment collects the data but does not look at it, does the result of an interference pattern or no interference pattern on the CCD image sensor decide the future of whither that person decides in the future to look at the data or to delete it? If there is an interference pattern, that person will delete the data at some point in the future without ever looking at it. Has this been tried or is my understanding of the experiment wrong?
 
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  • #2
fendur2 said:
I'm new to quantum physics and the double slit experiment. If the person running the experiment collects the data but does not look at it, does the result of an interference pattern or no interference pattern on the CCD image sensor decide the future of whither that person decides in the future to look at the data or to delete it? If there is an interference pattern, that person will delete the data at some point in the future without ever looking at it. Has this been tried or is my understanding of the experiment wrong?
Just have a look at the neighboring thread, initiated by Mrs Ruth Kastner : https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=380128 .
You are the naive victim of a commonly delirious teaching, that puts the human observer in the midle of the microphysic picture. It is scandalous that such a weird mistake had lasted so long, for 1927 : eighty four years.
 
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I think you've misunderstood. It doesn't matter for the outcome whether or not a human being looks at the results. (unless you want to invoke some silly metaphysical "If a tree falls in the forest.." kind of reasoning)

An "observation" or "measurement" (same thing) in quantum mechanics doesn't depend on a human observer, or even a measuring apparatus in the ordinary sense. It only requires some situation where you could - if only in principle - determine the value of the particular quantum property that you're measuring.
 

1. How does the double slit experiment predict our own actions?

The double slit experiment is commonly used to demonstrate the wave-particle duality of light, where a single photon can behave as both a wave and a particle. In this experiment, a beam of light is directed at a barrier with two slits, and the resulting interference pattern can be observed on a screen behind the barrier. This interference pattern is affected by the presence of an observer, which suggests that our own actions can influence the behavior of particles.

2. Can this experiment accurately predict individual actions?

The double slit experiment does not predict individual actions, but rather shows that the mere act of observation can affect the behavior of particles. This suggests that our own consciousness may play a role in determining the outcome of events at the quantum level.

3. Is there any evidence to support the idea that our actions are predetermined by the double slit experiment?

While the double slit experiment has been used to demonstrate the influence of observation on particle behavior, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that our actions are predetermined by this phenomenon. The interpretation of this experiment and its implications for human behavior are still a topic of debate among scientists.

4. Can the double slit experiment be used to predict human behavior?

No, the double slit experiment is not a reliable tool for predicting human behavior. While it may suggest that our consciousness has an influence on the quantum level, it does not provide a deterministic view of human behavior.

5. What are the potential implications of the double slit experiment on our understanding of free will?

The double slit experiment has sparked discussions about the nature of free will and determinism. Some argue that the results of this experiment suggest that our actions are predetermined by the laws of physics, while others argue that it does not account for the complexity of human behavior and decision-making. The implications of this experiment on our understanding of free will are still a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry.

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