The Matter Myth: Chapter 7 Analysis

            Quantum Weirdness, the seventh chapter of The Matter Myth, is a segment of the book dedicated to explaining the quantum physics. This chapter opens up with an explanation of Neils Bohr’s model of the configuration of electrons around the nucleus of an atom. Following this is an explanation of the famous Schrödinger's cat experiment. The many-universes theory is also discussed.

            Neils Bohr’s model of the configuration of electrons around the nucleus in an atom portrays the electrons in fixed orbits around the nucleus. This implies that electrons orbit based on quantized levels of energy, called photons. Neils Bohr proposed that electrons are restricted to these orbits, and can only jump between these orbits by absorbing or releasing photons. This theory could explain why electrons do not spiral into the center of the nucleus due to electromagnetic attraction. Quantum physics states that these orbits do not define the position of electrons, but act as an average location for them. It is impossible to define where an electron is exactly at any given time.

            Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment involving a cat trapped inside a box with an apparatus that allows a fifty percent chance of the cat’s death. Two possibilities are apparent: the cat is either dead or alive. Therefore, the cat may be regarded as both dead and alive until a person opens the box and observes the result of the experiment.

    

(above) This is an image portraying the experiment. The cat is drawn as both dead and alive because it exists in both states until one observes the experiment’s result.

The many-universes theory proposes that each time an action of chance occurs, the Universe splits into multiple Universes. Each one of these new Universes corresponds to one result of the action of chance. For example, during the Schrödinger's cat experiment, the Universe may have divided into two new Universes. In one world, the cat is alive. In the other world, the cat is dead.

Bibliography

Davies, Paul, and John Gribbin. The Matter Myth. New York: Orion Productions, 1992. Print

Images:

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