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Physicists are trying hard to find a unified theory of the universe. They have faced many challenges with understanding time. Time behaves differently in our best theories—quantum mechanics and general relativity. This difference has been a big problem in finding a theory that explains everything. A new study suggests a surprising solution. Time might be an illusion, which means it is not real. This idea comes from quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement happens when two particles connect in a special way. These particles can change each other immediately. They stay linked no matter how far apart they are.
Physical Review A
Published in the journal Physical Review A, the study introduces a new solution to the time problem. This problem is the main conflict between time in quantum mechanics and time in Einstein’s general relativity. In quantum mechanics, time is fixed and external. In general relativity, however, time is flexible and can change depending on the situation. The researchers used the Page and Wootters mechanism. This theory suggests that time comes from the quantum entanglement between a system and a clock. Quantum entanglement is when particles become linked and share information instantly, no matter how far apart they are. The study found a surprising possibility: time might not be a basic part of the universe. Instead, it could be something that comes from the quantum connections between particles.
The Schrödinger equation
The researchers showed how their system works. Physicist Alessandro Coppo led the team. He is from the National Research Council of Italy. They used the Schrödinger equation during their demonstration. The Schrödinger equation is a formula in quantum mechanics. It helps describe how particles like electrons move and behave. This equation is the fundamental equation of quantum mechanics. They focused on two entangled quantum states that do not interact. One state is a vibrating harmonic oscillator. The other state is a set of tiny magnets acting as a clock.
The equation did not rely on the traditional concept of time. Instead, it used the states of tiny magnets to determine progress. Tiny magnets can have different magnetic orientations, which the equation tracked. Tiny magnets are small pieces of magnetic material whose alignment can change. These changes in alignment are the states. This suggests that time results from this quantum entanglement.
The team’s calculations reveal something amazing. Their insight still applies when increasing the size of quantum states. This includes macroscopic objects like a harmonic oscillator or a magnet clock. A harmonic oscillator is a system that moves back and forth, like a spring. A magnet clock uses magnets to keep time. The insight suggests that time emerges beyond just the quantum realm. It could be a universal property of the whole physical world. This means it could include everything. It could affect the smallest subatomic particles and the largest celestial bodies.
We strongly believe that the correct and logical direction is to start from quantum physics. From there, we can understand how to reach classical physics. We should not do it the other way around.
Quantum Physics
Quantum physics studies the behavior of very small particles. Classical physics explains the laws of motion and gravity that we see in everyday life. There have been inconsistencies between the two theories. These inconsistencies have been a long-standing problem for scientists. Coppo believes starting with quantum physics can help solve these problems.
Closing Remarks
This revolutionary concept challenges our fundamental understanding of time and its role in the universe. If time is just a result of quantum entanglement, it could change how we think about reality. Quantum entanglement happens when two particles connect very strongly. This connection is very strong. If one particle changes, it affects the other particle. This happens even if the particles are far apart. This new view of time could impact our ideas about cause and effect. It could also change the basic principles of science. As scientists keep studying, we might understand the universe and our role in it better.
For further reading on this topic, please visit this article on Yahoo News.
