Philosophy
In a letter to Max Born, Einstein wrote, "you believe in the God who plays dice, and I in complete law and order in a world which objectively exists, and which I...am trying to capture." Einsten did not believe the univserse was run on indeterminacy. Bohr counteracted by stating that God may play games in the dark, however he can find out what he is doing by shining light on it. By shining a light, you will know the outcome. However, our measuring devices alter the outcome.
Einsten did various experiments in opposition of indeterminacy. He wanted to show uncertainty could be overcome with the double-slit light experiment. The double-slit light experiment demonstrated "that matter and energy can display characteristics of both waves and particles." In the experiment, a light source lightened a plate that had two parallel slits. As the light passes through the slits, the results are displayed on a screen behind the plate. The light waves passing through the slits interfere resulting in bands on the screen. Einstein's argument is that it would not happen if light was just made of just particles as stated in the Quantum theory. However, his experiment did not fully refute the theory. It is impossible to determine the precision of the light. The impossibilty supported the theory's indeterminacy. The experiment helped Bohr's case since he showed how Einsten's experiment was a fail.
In 1930, at the Solvay Conference, Einstein displayed a new experiment to refute the principle of uncertainty. The experiment, "Einstein's box," showed that matter is solidified energy and allows measurement of its weight. The box was supposed to opose uncertainty. The box was supposed to give a interpretation of particles. Bohr saw the error in "Einstein's Box."
However, Bohr eventually saw the flaw in Einstein's Box, and through a crafty use of reasoning, which ironically employed using Einstein's own great discoveries against himself, he was able to show why the device wouldn't work as predicted. According to Ms. Lane, "the inevitable uncertainty of the position of the box translates into an uncertainty in the position of the pointer and of the determination of weight and therefore of energy." Einstein's experiment ended up supporting uncertainty again.
Einstein and Bohr debated for years to come. Einstein could never successfully refute the Quantum theory. His experiments ended up supporting the theory. Einstein even accepted the Quantum theory of uncertainity at one point. However, both men presented ideas that could be possible. Their ideas did not have concrete evidence. The controversial debate does not have any winners.
- Is An Omniscient God Incompatible With The Copenhagen Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics?
Yesterday was Neils Bohr's birthday. In addition to being one of the great minds in the history of physics, he also had a fascinating life, and bore an uncanny resemblance to the Chief in Get Smart. He is one of the major figures in early quantum...
- Eternal Questions...maybe No Answer
"A Quantum of Solace" by Dennis Overbye July 1st, 2013 The New York Times Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist and philosopher-king of quantum theory, once said that great truth is a statement whose opposite is also a great truth. This pretty much...
- "god Does Not Play Dice"...re-evaluated
We analyze Einstein’s views on God and religion, and his views on Quantum Mechanics. One of Albert Einstein’s most famous statements is “God does not play dice with the universe”. The common interpretation of this statement contains two myths...
- A Single Event Does Not Make A Law Invalid...neutrinos Vs Speed Of Light
"Take Heart, Einstein: ‘Earth-Shattering’ Science Is Relatively Rare?" by Adam Mann September 26th, 2011 Wired Science What began last week as whispered rumors posted on the physics blog Resonaances grew to a roar of articles around the world...
- Albert Einstein's Methodology
Abstract... This paper discusses Einstein's methodology. The first topic is: Einstein characterized his work as a theory of principle and reasoned that beyond kinematics, the 1905 heuristic relativity principle could offer new connections between...
Philosophy
3. Einstein/ Bohr Debate
In the famous Einstein/Bohr debate over the implications of quantum theory, who do you think won? Explain why and be sure to detail your answer with pertinent information related to quantum entanglement, the double-slit light experiment, and other strange factoids within physics. You don't have to side with either one, if you wish, and can present the pros and cons to each. However, you should really develop your essays and I would suggest including some new research that you can discover through a google search.
In a letter to Max Born, Einstein wrote, "you believe in the God who plays dice, and I in complete law and order in a world which objectively exists, and which I...am trying to capture." Einsten did not believe the univserse was run on indeterminacy. Bohr counteracted by stating that God may play games in the dark, however he can find out what he is doing by shining light on it. By shining a light, you will know the outcome. However, our measuring devices alter the outcome.
Einsten did various experiments in opposition of indeterminacy. He wanted to show uncertainty could be overcome with the double-slit light experiment. The double-slit light experiment demonstrated "that matter and energy can display characteristics of both waves and particles." In the experiment, a light source lightened a plate that had two parallel slits. As the light passes through the slits, the results are displayed on a screen behind the plate. The light waves passing through the slits interfere resulting in bands on the screen. Einstein's argument is that it would not happen if light was just made of just particles as stated in the Quantum theory. However, his experiment did not fully refute the theory. It is impossible to determine the precision of the light. The impossibilty supported the theory's indeterminacy. The experiment helped Bohr's case since he showed how Einsten's experiment was a fail.
In 1930, at the Solvay Conference, Einstein displayed a new experiment to refute the principle of uncertainty. The experiment, "Einstein's box," showed that matter is solidified energy and allows measurement of its weight. The box was supposed to opose uncertainty. The box was supposed to give a interpretation of particles. Bohr saw the error in "Einstein's Box."
However, Bohr eventually saw the flaw in Einstein's Box, and through a crafty use of reasoning, which ironically employed using Einstein's own great discoveries against himself, he was able to show why the device wouldn't work as predicted. According to Ms. Lane, "the inevitable uncertainty of the position of the box translates into an uncertainty in the position of the pointer and of the determination of weight and therefore of energy." Einstein's experiment ended up supporting uncertainty again.
Einstein and Bohr debated for years to come. Einstein could never successfully refute the Quantum theory. His experiments ended up supporting the theory. Einstein even accepted the Quantum theory of uncertainity at one point. However, both men presented ideas that could be possible. Their ideas did not have concrete evidence. The controversial debate does not have any winners.
- Is An Omniscient God Incompatible With The Copenhagen Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics?
Yesterday was Neils Bohr's birthday. In addition to being one of the great minds in the history of physics, he also had a fascinating life, and bore an uncanny resemblance to the Chief in Get Smart. He is one of the major figures in early quantum...
- Eternal Questions...maybe No Answer
"A Quantum of Solace" by Dennis Overbye July 1st, 2013 The New York Times Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist and philosopher-king of quantum theory, once said that great truth is a statement whose opposite is also a great truth. This pretty much...
- "god Does Not Play Dice"...re-evaluated
We analyze Einstein’s views on God and religion, and his views on Quantum Mechanics. One of Albert Einstein’s most famous statements is “God does not play dice with the universe”. The common interpretation of this statement contains two myths...
- A Single Event Does Not Make A Law Invalid...neutrinos Vs Speed Of Light
"Take Heart, Einstein: ‘Earth-Shattering’ Science Is Relatively Rare?" by Adam Mann September 26th, 2011 Wired Science What began last week as whispered rumors posted on the physics blog Resonaances grew to a roar of articles around the world...
- Albert Einstein's Methodology
Abstract... This paper discusses Einstein's methodology. The first topic is: Einstein characterized his work as a theory of principle and reasoned that beyond kinematics, the 1905 heuristic relativity principle could offer new connections between...