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Question about Atoms.
- Thread starter CFZB
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Feynman
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Atoms are not principle constituants of matter, thus they can be freely created and destroyed at will with respect to available laboratory equipment available.
You're most likely thinking of protons existing for such a long time. Although they do not have infinite lifetimes, I believe the latest calculation showed protons to have a life of around 10^41 years. It's rather difficult to study this, as our universe has not been in existance for that long. We test for spontaneous proton decay using very large reserves of liquid, and usually require about a year or so to have a handfull of true decays. Muons and other cosmic radiation or even neutrinos can interfere with such a delicate and prolonged experiment.
If you are interested in the principle constituants of matter, you should look into particles known as quarks. Electrons are also a primary particle. When I was working on my PhD at Princeton with John Wheeler, he tried extensively to show electrons to be the single fundamental particle on which all others are constructed. He obviously hit a dead end with that theory. There are over a hundred different particles in the Standard Model today, with virtual particles and super-massive propagators raising many more questions.
You're most likely thinking of protons existing for such a long time. Although they do not have infinite lifetimes, I believe the latest calculation showed protons to have a life of around 10^41 years. It's rather difficult to study this, as our universe has not been in existance for that long. We test for spontaneous proton decay using very large reserves of liquid, and usually require about a year or so to have a handfull of true decays. Muons and other cosmic radiation or even neutrinos can interfere with such a delicate and prolonged experiment.
If you are interested in the principle constituants of matter, you should look into particles known as quarks. Electrons are also a primary particle. When I was working on my PhD at Princeton with John Wheeler, he tried extensively to show electrons to be the single fundamental particle on which all others are constructed. He obviously hit a dead end with that theory. There are over a hundred different particles in the Standard Model today, with virtual particles and super-massive propagators raising many more questions.
Feynman
New member
cwc73 said:
On the classical level this does hold true; however, virtual particles abound, giving rise to further interactions and constituant particles. Implications of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics shows that at the Planck scale, there is a fundamental amount of uncertainty - a world where wherein statistics and probability - and not Newtonian physics as we know it - reign supreme.
A virtual particle pops into existance for a very short period of time; in essence, it "borrows" a very small amount of energy from the universe. So long as the virtual particle pays back it's debt in a sufficiently short time period it is allowed to exist. The interesting stuff happens when virtual particles interact with real particles.
mountain muscle
New member
Feynman,
I was going to atempt to answer this with my incredibly limited knowedge but it seems you have.
Matter has a limited life, energy though is transferable. Am I way off base here or somewhat on the right path.
BTW nice question PW.
I was going to atempt to answer this with my incredibly limited knowedge but it seems you have.
Matter has a limited life, energy though is transferable. Am I way off base here or somewhat on the right path.
BTW nice question PW.
thanks.mountain muscle said:
I quess that it is safe to say that
all matter ends.
but all matter that we would deal with ,
(for the sake of my question)
has been in existence since the begining of matter right?
meaning that it takes so long for it to "end" that we havent even come close to that length of time yet.
Feynman
New member
If you are further interested, you might be interested in reading two books I have written, QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, and Statistical Mechanics, which is a printed form of a series of lectures I gave at Cal-Tech some time ago. I also believe they published the lectures on elementary particle physics that Steve Weinberg and I presented at the 1986 Dirac Memorial.
It really is fascinating subject.
It really is fascinating subject.
Feynman
New member
mountain muscle said:
Well, you have to ask yourself: What is matter made of? From molecules, to atoms, to protons, electrons, and neutrons, to quarks, neutrinos, gluons, and a host of other small particles, we eventually find that we're not entirely certain... yet.
Cosmic rays - Muons - exist for a very short period of time, around the order of 10^-6 seconds. Protons, while not truly an elementary particle, have a lifetime longer than we can measure. We're guessing it's around 10^40 years; much longer than the universe has existed. Even though protons are comprised of smaller particles - three quarks and their mediating particles called, quite fittingly, gluons-- they are held so very stable by the strong nuclear force that they might not ever decay. The jury's still out on this one, but various models presented by cosmologists suggest that we may never know. One theory of the universe is that which purports a "big crunch", an obvious reaction which is the reverse of the big bang. Another model suggests infinite yet converging expansion of the universe wherein the second law of thermoynamics would show an eventual heat death of the universe -- including, eventually, protons.
I'm not quite sure what you're specifically asking about transferring energy. Thermodynamicists coined a "zeroth" law of thermodynamics, which states there will be a net exchange of energy between two systems unless they are in thermodynamic equilibrium. So energy is transferrable, but we cannot transfer 100% of energy from one system to another in the real world, as friction and other pesky nuisances prevent us from doing so.
R
roidpuple
Guest
Why does everyone believe in god??
Atoms.
Feynman
New member
CFZB said:
Actually, the big bang theory shows matter to have formed quite some time after the initial bang. There were various time phases of radiative energy. After all, matter can't exist at temperatures in excess of 10^20 Kelvin. Once things started expanding more and more, things cooled off enough for small particles such as protons, electrons, alpha-particles, deuterons, and a few other nuclei to exist. These material constituents would eventually combine together to produce the gas from which stars - and heavier nuclei - are formed.
The best thing is that we have proof of this! It's called the cosmic background radiation, and was discovered by a couple guys at Bell Labs who were confused as to why they were getting constant interference from a satellite dish that was pointed at the sky. That background radiation is what's leftover of the primordial fireball.
GodOfThunder
New member
You happen to have died, my friend.
LOL anyone can be whoever they want to be on the internet.
LOL anyone can be whoever they want to be on the internet.
mountain muscle
New member
Fey I will look more for the theory I told you about. Another super string theory, but with planes of universe. You will find it very interesting.
Ever read The elegant universe? another super string theory. very interesting.
Ever read The elegant universe? another super string theory. very interesting.
milo hobgoblin
New member
Damn feynman.. thats impressive as hell. Those are incredible accomplishments.. devoting yourself to something like that ..
Fast Twitch Fiber
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Hey Mr. Feynman, I saw some of your pictures on the net. I'm not trying to be insulting, but dude, you really don't look like you work out. I'm wondering what you're doing on a fitness chat board.
Fast Twitch Fiber
New member
CFZB said:
This is different, he's actually claiming to have written books that the dead guy wrote
R
roidpuple
Guest
i love atoms.. CFZB kicks my ass with his avatar.. funny fuckin shit..
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