The certainty of quantum mechanics: correct predictions

Video URL

You must be registered to use this feature. Sign in or register.

Can the laws of physics be violated?

RELATED STORIES

The certainty of quantum mechanics: correct predictions

John Wheeler Scientist

		Views	Duration
101. Questions from Ken Ford. Relativity. From mathematics to...		341	01:52
102. Size range of black holes		305	01:13
103. Quasars	1	278	03:04
104. 1976: decision to leave Princeton for the University of Texas		414	02:47
105. The Delayed Choice experiment		742	02:41
106. Problems compiling the key papers on quantum theory	1	373	02:49
107. The certainty of quantum mechanics: correct predictions	1	512	00:53
108. Can the laws of physics be violated?		617	02:55
109. Wheeler's drawing of the big U: concept of observer participancy		877	01:27
110. Niels Bohr: distinguishing between 'observation' and...		525	02:03

Comments (0) Please sign in or register to add comments

I'm afraid I think the theory is so firmly established that I can't see any case where firm predictions are not possible. Firm predictions about the nature of the outcome. The outcome may be either this or that. It may not necessarily be one of the two, but whatever one sees, I think one can predict. Does that mean that you would say the doubtful part of quantum mechanics is not what it predicts but what it rests on? Yes, where does it come from, what deeper principle does it arise from. That, to me, is the real puzzle.

John Wheeler, one of the world's most influential physicists, is best known for coining the term 'black holes', for his seminal contributions to the theories of quantum gravity and nuclear fission, as well as for his mind-stretching theories and writings on time, space and gravity.

Title: The certainty of quantum mechanics: correct predictions

Listeners: Ken Ford

Ken Ford took his Ph.D. at Princeton in 1953 and worked with Wheeler on a number of research projects, including research for the Hydrogen bomb. He was Professor of Physics at the University of California and Director of the American Institute of Physicists. He collaborated with John Wheeler in the writing of Wheeler's autobiography, 'Geons, Black Holes and Quantum Foam: A Life in Physics' (1998).

Duration: 54 seconds

Date story recorded: December 1996

Date story went live: 24 January 2008