Physicists have been trying to unite the discipline's dominant theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity into a grand unifying theory for years and a group of University of British Columbia researchers think they might finally have made some progress towards a solution. <\/p>\n
The theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity are the two best ways we have to describe how the universe works. <\/p>\n
Quantum mechanics is a branch of physicsthat examines the natural world at the sub-atomic level. <\/p>\n
Einstein's theory of general relativity explains phenomena on a grander scale like black holesor how light travels through a galaxy. <\/p>\n
While each theory works well to describe phenomena in its respective area, they are mutually incompatible, according to JaymieMatthews, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of British Columbia.. <\/p>\n
Even famed Cambridge University mathematics professor Stephen W. Hawking switches between the theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity, Matthews says. (Kimberly White\/Reuters) <\/p>\n
\"General relativity has passed every test that has been put to it. Quantum mechanics as a theory has passed every test that has been applied to it,\" explained Matthews. <\/p>\n
\"But if you try to take general relativity to the tiniest scales, it kind of breaks down, and if you take quantum mechanics to the largest scale, it breaks down.\" <\/p>\n
The solution has been to use the theories in their respective areas and kind of avoid the \"elephant in the universe\" incompatibility issue. <\/p>\n
\"That profound disagreement between general relativity and quantum mechanics disturbs people.\" <\/p>\n
A new paper by three UBC scientists attempts to reconcile these two theories by addressing the problem of our expanding universe. <\/p>\n
Astronomers say theuniverse is constantly expanding at an ever-increasing rate which suggests something, which scientists refer to as dark energy,is pushing it out. <\/p>\n
When physicists apply quantum mechanics to this problem, they theorize the energyin questionmust be incredibly dense. <\/p>\n
But the theory of relativity says energy with this much density would have a strong gravitational effect which some scientists maintain would cause the universe to explode, which, of course, hasn't happened. <\/p>\n
In their paper, UBC PhD students Qingdi Wang and Zhen Zhu, along with physics and astronomy professor Bill Unruh, have devised a formula where they say the value of this forceis fluctuating wildly between positive and negative values and the net result is almost zero. <\/p>\n
This accounts for both the zero density and the ever-increasing expansion. <\/p>\n
The paper says we can't feel the movement because it is very, very small. <\/p>\n
\"This happens at very tiny scales, billions and billions times smaller even than an electron,\" described Wang in a news release. <\/p>\n
The research is important because if it is well-received, it could put us closer to a uniform theory of everything. <\/p>\n
\"If quantum mechanics and general relativity can agree with one another, there is no disturbing cosmological elephant in the universe. That would remove one of the most frustrating things,\" Matthews said. <\/p>\n
Listen to the interview withJaymie Matthews on CBC's The Early Edition: <\/p>\n
\"We like to think we live in an elegant universe,\" he added. \"This would be one step closer to a grand unified theory in which you could describe the universe on a piece of paper.\" <\/p>\n
The research paper was published in Physical Review D last week. <\/p>\n
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Go here to read the rest:<\/p>\n
UBC researchers propose answer to fundamental space problem - CBC.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Physicists have been trying to unite the discipline's dominant theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity into a grand unifying theory for years and a group of University of British Columbia researchers think they might finally have made some progress towards a solution. Continue reading