What does QM hint about time-space?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of time-space and its role as a fundamental property or constituent of nature. The participants consider the ideas of quantum mechanics (QM), quantum field theory (QFT), and loop quantum gravity (LQG) in relation to this topic. While QM and QFT use space-time as a background, LQG suggests a different perspective. Ultimately, the conversation suggests that QM may hint at nature being fundamentally modeled by generalised probability models and that QED is more fundamental than Maxwell's equations.
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San K
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Does QM hint at time-space being an emergent, rather than a fundamental, property/constituent of nature?

In what ways?

Electromagnetic (EM) fields are assumed to pervade all of time-space.

Which is more fundamental?
 
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Standard QM and QFT use space-time as a background, I don't think they give any hint at the structure or properties of space-time. Maybe symmetries are the only thing touching on the subject, but other than that...it's really difficult to define a time operator (as an observable), but I could be wrong.

However , from what I understand, with LQG, it's a whole different story.
 
  • #4
San K said:
Does QM hint at time-space being an emergent, rather than a fundamental, property/constituent of nature?

No - it hints that nature may be fundamentally modeled by generalised probability models.

San K said:
Electromagnetic (EM) fields are assumed to pervade all of time-space

QM is fundamental - Maxwell's equations follow from QED - not the other way around.

Thanks
Bill
 
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1. What is the relationship between quantum mechanics and time-space?

Quantum mechanics (QM) is a fundamental theory that describes the behavior of particles at the subatomic level. It offers a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of matter and energy in the universe. Time-space, also known as spacetime, is a concept that combines the three dimensions of space with the dimension of time. According to QM, time-space is not a static framework, but rather a dynamic entity that can be influenced by quantum phenomena.

2. How does QM hint at the non-locality of time-space?

One of the key principles of QM is entanglement, which suggests that particles can be connected in a non-local way, meaning their properties are correlated regardless of distance. This suggests that time-space may not be limited by the speed of light and that events in one location could have an instantaneous effect on events in another location, challenging our traditional understanding of causality and locality.

3. Can QM explain the concept of time dilation?

Yes, time dilation is a well-established phenomenon in QM. According to the theory of relativity, time can appear to pass at different rates for different observers depending on their relative speeds and gravitational fields. QM helps explain this phenomenon by showing how time and space are interconnected and can be affected by the presence of massive objects.

4. Does QM suggest that time is continuous or discrete?

According to QM, time is a continuous quantity rather than being made up of discrete moments. This is known as the time-energy uncertainty principle, which states that the more precisely we know the energy of a system, the less precisely we can know its time, and vice versa. This suggests that time is not made up of discrete moments, but rather a continuous flow.

5. How does QM challenge our understanding of the arrow of time?

The arrow of time refers to the concept that time only moves in one direction, from past to future. However, QM suggests that at the subatomic level, time may not have a defined direction. The equations of QM are time-symmetric, meaning they would work the same if time were to run backward. This challenges our traditional understanding of the arrow of time and suggests that time may not be as linear as we once thought.

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