MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS, A UNIVERSE OF LARGE NOT SMALL DIMENSIONS

 

MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS, A UNIVERSE OF LARGE NOT SMALL DIMENSIONS

 

Abstract

We have learned so much about how our universe and our world operate through the science of physics. It only makes sense for us to rely on physics to provide us with hints and clues regarding where to look next, or a direction to go in order to build upon what we already know and have learned. Our responsibility to the universe is to look hard at what we have learned. Asking questions in order to learn more and to better understand what we know is the first step to moving forward and moving outward into our universe.

Introduction

In 1868 Georg Friedrich Bernhard Riemann's paper on 'N' dimensional space was published. Essentially, Riemann’s paper mathematically showed that it was possible for the geometry of our universe to have ‘N’ dimensions. Information regarding Planck length was not known at this time. This infers that the conclusion in Riemann’s ‘N’ dimensional space paper was for large overlapping dimensions. This is significantly different from the seven dimensions of space down below the Planck length currently theorized in string theory. In other words, our universe does not have to be limited to the three-dimensions in which we live. The universe could be any number of dimensions over and above three.

Theodor Kaluza in 1921 theorized a unification of gravity with electricity and magnetism in five dimensions (four dimensions of space and one time). In his original theory Kaluza looked at the extra dimension of space to be large not small. After being given feedback on his original large dimension theory, Kaluza modified his theory and lowered the size of his extra dimension. He did not, however, lower the size of his fourth dimension of space to below the Planck length. Kaluza’s use of an extra dimension of space was primarily done as a mathematical tool in order to try and combine gravity with electricity and magnetism as a follow up to Maxwell’s unification of electricity and magnetism. Specifically, the presumption at the time was that the three forces: gravity, electricity and magnetism had to all be associated through one set of equations. Unification of forces via the extra dimension theorized by Kaluza ultimately had some problems, the biggest of which was there was no “evidence” of a large overlapping fourth dimension. Thus Kaluza’s theory fell out of favor.

However, 100 years later the question arises as to what evidence would a fourth dimension present to those living in three dimensions? A Side Note: There is information/indication that in his original unification of electricity and magnetism Maxwell used four dimensions of space and one of time. Did Kaluza follow Maxwell’s initial use of five total dimensions? It should also be noted that work has been done to extend Maxwell’s equations into ‘N’ dimensional space.

Some additional questions for future consideration regarding ‘N’ dimensional space:

1.    Why not keep dimensions large rather than going small as in string theory? 

2.  That concept, mathematics or physics prevents large, overlapping dimension? 

3.    Riemann’s original theory had ‘N’ dimensions of space, so why stop at four? 

4.    What in nature or physics requires unification beyond electricity and magnetism?

5.    Why not expand our knowledge and/or theoretical physics into four dimensional or higher spaces first and then look to see if unification of forces is possible? 

Discussion

Established mathematics as well as previous theories that looked at a universe with more than three-dimensions shows that a multi-dimensional universe is not a “new” idea. String theory, the current unification theory, looks at a multi-dimensional universe. With string theory, the extra dimensions are confined to an unimaginably small space that is experimentally impossible to reach and/or to verify the existence of such dimensions. In other words, in general a universe of multi-dimensional space is an excepted theory. So, why can’t a multi-dimensional universe be comprised of larger, overlapping dimensions, and does our current physics and knowledge provide any foresight for a universe with large, overlapping multiple dimensions?

Large Overlapping Dimensions Overview

Presume that a one-dimensional space is embedded in a two-dimensional space which in turn is embedded in our three-dimensional space. This presumption is very straight forward given that a two-dimensional space can be created by stacking one-dimensional spaces and a three-dimensional space can be created by stacking two-dimensional spaces. Additionally, two-dimensional spaces are routinely used in mathematics and physics as a tool for extending concepts and theories into higher dimensional space. Therefore, by extension we can presume that our three-dimensional space is embedded in a four-dimensional space. Like Russian nesting dolls and this can go on beyond four-dimensions.

Gravity is a real physical part of all mass in our three-dimensions and it envelopes all of space and time in our universe. Therefore, our three-dimensional gravity will also have an influence on the embedded two-dimensions. Again, by extension it is not unreasonable to presume that four-dimensional gravity will exist and have some influence on our three-dimensional space. With the presumption that our three-dimensions of space are embedded in four-dimensional space the expectations is the influence of four-dimensional gravity would look like what we call dark energy in our three-dimensional space.

Standard Model

In the standard model there are three generations of elementary quarks. From the first generation of the “up” and “down” quarks comes the proton and neutron that make up the nucleus of every atom in our universe. The second generation of quarks is exactly like the first generation of quarks, only a bit more massive and energetic. The stability of our three-dimension proton is well known, why would we think that a second quark generation proton does not exist as the “charm” and “strange” quarks are nothing more than heavier versions of the “up” and “down” quarks? Currently this second generation of quarks, as well as the third generation, simply exists in our three-dimensional universe with no specific purpose. The question of concern is why would nature provide us with a second and third generation of quarks that do nothing?

The physics of our universe has shown us that nature is purposeful, that things happen for a reason. This observation and belief is in general the basis of “Unification.” Keeping things consistent, why is there not a second generation of proton and neutron? The short answer for now in particle physics would be that these second generation nucleons cannot exist in three-dimensions as they are too heavy and therefore too energetic. But, the general expectation is a larger fourth dimension would allow for more energetic particles to exist. In other words, the second generation nucleons could exist in a fourth dimension and their existence there could mimic the dark matter we see here in our three-dimensional space.

Due to energy constraints only three generations of quarks have been discovered. However, there is no physics or concepts that prohibit more generations of quarks and associated particles. In other words, much like Riemann’s ‘N’ dimensions of space, there could also be ‘N’ generations of elementary particles. 

Antimatter Asymmetry

One of the largest questions associated with our universe and its physics is the lack of any antimatter in our universe. However, the existence of antimatter is real in that it has been created through experiments and used in some experiments. The reality of the existence of antimatter, but the fact that none of it is present in our universe represents a very large issue with respect to one of the basics principles of physics, symmetry.

So far antimatter is nowhere to be found in our universe creating a huge symmetry issue. Adding multiple, larger, overlapping dimensions allows for a place for antimatter to exist outside of our universe and therefore maintaining antimatter symmetry in the overall universe. A simple solution to what is currently a significant problem that has no other known potential solutions.

Right-Handed Asymmetry

The antimatter asymmetry is not the only asymmetry within our universe and our current physics with no solution, no explanation and no ideas on how to handle the asymmetry. The second asymmetry, and arguably a more significant asymmetry is “Right-Handed Asymmetry.” This very real issue within our universe and physics is for the most part not discussed or considered.

A quick discussion regarding right and left-handed particles is in order here. This will be a very down and dirty discussion. One of the quantum characteristics of elementary particles is “spin.” There is much more associated with spin but for the purposes of this paper we will only worry about right-handed and left-handed spin, which is a description of the direction of a particle spin.

Within our universe Neutrinos are by far the most abundant particles. There are millions upon millions of Neutrinos passing through our bodies every second of every day. All of the observed Neutrinos in our universe have left-handed spin. A Neutrino with right-handed spin has never been observed. In other words, there is a right-handed spin asymmetry in our universe with the most abundant elementary particle in our universe.

The next left-handed only interaction is one of great importance in chemistry and particle physics. This is the weak nuclear force also known as beta decay. The weak nuclear reaction/force changes neutrons into protons, and vice-versa, change protons into neutrons. Once again, maintaining a short down and dirty description for this paper, the weak nuclear force and/or beta decay is the process where a neutron decays into a proton and an electron. The weak nuclear force also includes a proton becoming a neutron with the addition of an electron. This is where the particle physics part comes in, the changing/decaying processes for protons and neutrons involve the W (plus and minus) and Z Bosons. The issue here is W and Z Bosons are only left-handed and they only interact with left-handed spin protons, neutrons and elementary particles. As for right-handed protons and neutrons and reactions or interactions, that is a physics family secret that is not discussed.

The proton and neutron are the basic building blocks of all matter in our universe. Yet there is a very distinct asymmetry associated with these building blocks for which there is no answer or understanding. The asymmetry associated with “building blocks” goes much deeper than the elementary particles that make up the universe as we know it. The right-handed asymmetry also involves another set of building blocks on earth. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of all life here on earth and they also come in right-handed and left-hand molecules. It turns out that only the left-handed amino acid molecules are used as the building blocks for the proteins in all of the life that we know.

To put all of this into perspective, all of the matter that we know of in the universe, and all of the life that we know of here on earth are all about left-handed interactions. In other words, as we know it, we live in a left-handed only universe and there is no known reason or explanation for this. This begs the question; does a right-handed antimatter universe exist in another dimension of the overall universe since it does not exist in our known universe? If it does, it would account for the missing symmetry in our known universe.

Large Overlapping Dimension Further Information

Information and evidence indicating the existence of large, overlapping dimensions within our current knowledge of physics and the universe goes beyond what was covered above. We know that our universe is expanding which affects the vacuum energy of space. In order to maintain the same energy density in the vacuum of space there has to be an influx of energy. Larger overlapping dimensions can account for and/or supply the required influx of vacuum energy. This could be considered as being directly related to a fourth dimension accounting for the expansion or our universe.

One of the principle endeavors of physics today is unification of quantum physics with relativity through a “Grand Unification Theory” or a “Theory of Everything.” Adding large overlapping dimensions increases the overall platform available to work forward on unification. Specifically, increases in the amount of energy, gravity, and particles available in more dimensions provide more opportunities for achieving unification.

One additional possible aspect of multiple overlapping dimensions is independence. That is our three-dimensional space/universe can be independent from other dimensions thus allowing us to have physics concepts that are unique to our space. As we expand and learn more about additional dimensions of space we will be provided with new frontiers of space to learn about and new levels of energy to help us learn. This additional knowledge through additional dimensions can also help us understand what we currently do not completely understand in our own three-dimensional physics.

Riemann’s paper was proof for ‘N’ dimensions. Relating this to the standard model, there is nothing that says there are only three generations of particles. It is not unreasonable to presume that there are more, possibly ‘N’ generations of quarks and elementary particles corresponding with more dimensions of space. We cannot claim that because it has not been discovered it does not exist. This is particularly true when established mathematics and previous theories have looked at multiple dimensions for solutions. Moreover, given that our current knowledge indicates there are more dimensions and potentially more generations of elementary particles, we need to move forward looking for these things until we can prove they do not exist

Conclusion

When was the last major discovery in physics? If we think about quantum physics and relativity, both were discovered over 100 years ago. Additionally, both quantum physics and relativity were based on moving forward with physics concepts that were already in place. Relativity was based on Maxwell’s work with electricity and magnetism while quantum physics was based on Planck’s work with black body radiation. A universe of multiple dimensions is the main theory being worked on today, string theory. So a multi-dimensional theory is not something new. The current theory looks at dimensions compacted into a small area of space. If it is possible for extra dimensions to be small, then symmetry would suggest that our universe could also be comprised of large, overlapping dimensions. Furthermore, there is nothing in today’s physics that forbids large, overlapping dimensions.

This paper looked at our current knowledge base for physics and picked out some of the most direct pieces of evidence/information that point to our universe having multiple large dimensions. Furthermore, past and present theories and mathematical papers have done work in multiple dimensions showing multiple dimensions as being a part of our overall universe. Additionally, multiple large, overlapping dimensions are the most direct and easiest way to account for the asymmetries in our current physics and understanding of our three-dimensional universe. There is also direct visual evidence for multiple large, overlapping dimensions; consider the Klein bottle and other objects we see in three-dimensions that  can only be “opened” up in four dimensions of space.

There is purpose to all things about the universe we live in. Therefore, the physics of the universe and everything we discover about the universe and in physics must also have purpose. If we do not have a physics purpose for any of the things discovered, then there is more to be discovered. Furthermore, a purpose to our universe and its physics also dictates that we do not have unanswered questions about anything we have discovered. If we have to rely on something that is unknown and not understood then we have a hole in our understanding of physics and our universe. Today’s physics provides us hints and clues that are pointing us in directions to look further. It is up to us to accept this challenge and move toward a greater understanding of more of our universe.

 

THE DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT PART 2, PROVE OR DISPROVE

My first paper looking at the double slit experiment hypothesizes that the wave function could be the result of quantum entanglement. This conclusion was reached through an evaluation of the information from the original double slit experiment involving individual particles. In other words, I simply carried the original experiment one step further. Given that the hypothesis is based on information from the first experiment, it is a valid experimentally based hypothesis. The next step would be to try and experimentally validate the hypothesis. This paper outlines steps that can be added to the original double slit experiment that can be used as an initial evaluation toward proving, or disproving, my quantum entanglement hypothesis for the wave function of a particle as established in the original double slit experiment. My first paper is also posted on this blog.

The original double slit experiment is such that a single particle is independently sent toward double slits. The slits are monitored to see which one the particle goes through. The particle continues on hitting a screen leaving a dispersed particle pattern on the screen. The act of measuring the particle for the slit it travels through determines it position and in essence removes the wave function of the particle. This results in a particle only dispersion pattern on the screen. My experiment simply builds on this.

On the screen where the particle pattern has been determined, cut another double slit. This way after traveling through the first double slit and determining which slit the particle goes through, which removes the wave function, we can see if the particle still acts like a particle after traveling through the second double slit and hitting a screen behind the second double slit. The pattern on the screen after the second double slit will show us if the particle is still a particle after traveling through both double slits, or if at some point the particle obtained another wave function. If the particle obtains a second wave function the questions would be where did the wave function come from, and is it the “same” as the initial coherent particle from the original source?

It should be noted that there are multiple versions or variations that could be done with this experimental set up. For example, there could be two sets of double slits set up on the second screen after the initial set, one at each particle dispersal pattern to see if one or both of the particle dispersal patterns have the same pattern on the final screen. One additional parameter that I would add to the experiment at some point, a complete account, tracking and total count of all particles released from the source.

My initial hypothesis is that the measurement at the first set of double slits removes the wave function of the particle and that from this measurement point forward the only thing left is a particle. In my experimental setup we know that when the particle reaches the second set of double slits it is acting as a particle. This was established in the original double slit experiment. This means that there is only a particle reaching the second double slits, which is the exact same process for the first double slits. The difference is that there is no longer a guarantee of particle coherence that was established in the initial particle source. From this point forward there are only two basic things that can return a wave function to the particle, the second set of double slits, or the virtual field. But, not just any wave function can be returned, it has to be the wave function corresponding to the original coherence of the source. A return of the wave function would by necessity have to be associated with quantum mechanics. The question would be what quantum process could return a distinct or specific wave function to what is in essence a free particle. Furthermore, returning the particle to its original state established at the particle source would require energy. At this point the most likely source of this energy is the virtual field. However, removing this energy from the field would result in an energy drain from the field which in turn results in a number of other issues.

My hypothesis for this experiment is that it will show that the measurement done at the first set of double slits removes the wave function and creates a “wave-free” particle. Furthermore, the establishment of wave-free particles does not result in a significant change to current quantum physics. Rather, it simply adds another characteristic to be used and evaluated as physics moves forward. The wave function is still a part of many aspects of particle interactions thus keeping relevant parts of quantum physics intact. Having a wave-free particle is not that much different many other aspects associated with the standard model of particles.

THE DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

My position on what we know about physics is that the information we have discovered clearly shows us that there is so much more for us to learn. For me the evidence starts with UFOs/ETs and Beings/Ghosts. We have thousands of years of history telling us all about these things that do not correspond with the physics we think we know. However, rather than telling ourselves that there has to be more for us to learn from these things, scientists will continue to tell us that they cannot be real because the physics we know will not allow for them. In other words, since science and physics cannot explain these things, they cannot be real.

Well, from everything I read and research, the physics we know is telling us that there is more for us to learn. But for one reason or another today’s scientists simply want to try and build further on what we know rather than looking hard at what is known and asking questions. One of the crowning glories of quantum physics is the Standard Model of Particles. I have already written about what is one of the most glaring questions of many questions associated with the Standard Model and will post that in this blog. The questions I have are real, and they represent areas that we need to dig into rather than just ignoring them for convenience sake.

The standard model is not the only thing that points to more physics for us to learn about, there is experiment that is so ingrained in today’s quantum physics, the Double Slit Experiment that presents a huge question that needs to be answered. The Double Slit Experiment is the experiment that is responsible for giving us one of the most confusing and complicated aspects of quantum physics, Wave-Particle Duality. This is the quantum property of atoms and particles where they act like both a particle and a wave at the same time.

In 1801 physicist and physician Thomas Young performed the double slit experiment. He sent the light from the sun through a single slit, which made the sunlight somewhat in phase. After passing through the single slit the sunlight continued through to two closely spaced narrow slits. From the two slits the light went onto a screen where it showed wave interference patterns. Young’s experiment settled the debate on the nature of light and from this point on light was accepted as traveling as a wave.

Fast forward to 1961 when the first double slit experiment was done with electrons as individual particles and the wave interference pattern first observed by Young was observed with the individual electrons/particles. Further experiments done by sending single particles one at a time through the double slits still showed the wave interference pattern on the final screen. So, the wave nature of individual particles in quantum physics was verified and this is where we stand today.

However, there is a second part to the double slit experiment that I do not believe has been completely evaluation for further interpretations and conclusions. This second part is when the individual particles are measured after going through one of the slits so that it can be determined which slit the particle went through. That is it, a simple measurement telling us which slit the particle used. Well it turns out that this determination changes the whole dynamic of the experiment. There is no longer a wave interference pattern on the final screen. Rather there are just two piles or particles behind each slit. The wave is gone and the particle is acting like a particle when it hits the final screen. In other words, the simple act of measuring which slit the particle went through removes the wave nature of the particle.

So here is the question, I have a particle go through one of the slits and I measure that particle to see which slit it went through. Because of this measurement the particle is no longer a wave, it is now moving as a particle toward the final screen as clearly shown on the screen. What if right before the particle hits the screen and is brought to a stop, I move the screen an infinite distance away, or I move the screen at a speed just above that of the particle so that it cannot reach the screen? In other words, the particle is now moving through space as a particle with no wave form.

This completely upsets the wave-particle duality as now there is a particle moving through space as only a particle with no “wave function.” The duality is gone. However, the standard answer maybe that a particle has to move through space as a wave so there must be something in quantum physics that gives the wave function back. In other words, unknown quantum magic that cannot be explained occurs and the particle regains a wave function. Or maybe there is another possible explanation, and nature is trying to tell us to dig deeper.

The double slit experiment gives us a particle without an associated wave, which is clear in the experiment itself. Additionally, without going into a lot of detail, the measurement of the slit that the particle uses corresponds with the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Specifically, we measured position through the slit determination so the momentum (velocity) of the particle is still present. This accounts for the particle striking the final screen. So, if the wave is removed from the particle, and the particle still exists there are two basic questions;

Where did the wave form come from in the first place?

If there is still a wave form with the particle as it moves through space where did it come from?

Regarding the first question, how about another form of quantum entanglement? As for the second question, the answer is simple, nobody knows.

Regarding quantum entanglement, let’s recall that for this experiment there has to be a particle source, and this source has to in essence make the particles sent through the slits coherent. In other words, the source gives all of the particles a common characteristic. This common characteristic is pretty much what quantum entanglement is all about. Once you give a particle a common characteristic, it is related to other particle(s) by this consistent characteristic. In the case of the individual coherent particles, the common characteristic is the wave form embedded into the particles by the source of the particles. So, as long as you do not measure the particle position, which slit it goes through, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is intact and the particles will form the wave pattern on the final screen. This can also show in the measurement portion of the double slit experiment. Measuring the slit used removes the wave and gives a particle pattern on the final screen. Stop the measuring and the wave form returns for the individual particles on the final screen.

The wave particle duality associated with quantum physics is ingrained in so many things that are part of the physics of life. In particular atomic and molecular structures of the atoms we need and work with every day. But we really need to look at what this wave form does for us that cannot be handled in some other manner. Looking specifically at atomic structure, the wave form gives us the probability of finding an electron in a certain place. Since it is a probability, the electron may or may not be where the wave form says it is most likely to be. It could actually be in the area of the least probability. Furthermore, this wave is not static it is dynamic in that it oscillates. In other words, the position of the electron moves within its orbital, which means the most probable place the electron is supposed to be also moves which is also as expected. When we look at all of the other restrictions on electron placement in an atom, it just seems logical that the whole wave-particle duality and probability function is not the only way to find an electron.

The overriding question is why we have accepted things to be so complicated without even looking at other possible solution, especially when nature itself seems to be telling us there is more for us to find?

WE HAVE TO MAKE IT SO THAT WE CAN BREAK IT

Quantum physics is very interesting physics, to say the least. There are a lot of unique nuances in quantum that have to be accounted for in many instances. The Standard Model of Particles is considered by many physicists to be one of the greatest accomplishments of modern physics. I can agree with this, but not for the reasons held by most physicists, and this is a topic for other papers. A close look at the Standard Model and the quantum physics that has gone into establishing it reveals that there are a number of “guesses” that have been made in order to “make it work.” One of the most interesting of these guesses is what I would like to write about today.

Probably one of the most unique nuances in quantum physics is known as “duality.” This is where particles have a “dual” nature in that they act like both waves and particles. The wave nature of quantum physics and particles is where a significant problem lies. There are multiple ways in which particles are allowed to have a wave property. However, quantum physics being what it is, particles cannot have a certain type of wave. Specifically, particles in their wave form are not allowed to have a longitudinal wave in quantum physics.

Since quantum physics does not allow for a longitudinal wave, but particle physics does scientists had to come up with something to address the issue of a longitudinal wave for a particle wave. In other words, there has to be something associated with quantum mechanics that prohibits a longitudinal wave. The best thing that scientists could come up with, the quantum aspects of a particle wave are such that there is a property associated with the quantum wave that does not allow for a longitudinal wave. Said another way, quantum physics being what it is, it has its own special and unique property that does not allow longitudinal particle waves. Nobody has any idea what this property actually is or how it got there, it is just “there.” This special action regarding cancelling the longitudinal wave of the wave-particle duality of quantum physics is known as “spontaneous symmetry breaking” and it makes everything right in quantum physics for a particle wave.

Now the wave nature of quantum physics being what it is, when a particle is acting under its wave form of wave-particle duality, the particle does not have any mass. Now this can be a problem. As any particle is moving through space as a wave without mass, how can this particle possibly become part of a planet, any part of a galaxy, or even a part of us? It can’t. In other words, the wave nature of a particle prevents it from having mass, which in turn prevents this particle wave from becoming any part of matter. If this were allowed to hold turn it would mean no universe as we know it because there would be no mass to form anything. So now physicist had to come up with something that can make a particle a real particle with mass from its massless wave form.

Enter the Higgs Boson and its accompanying Higgs Field, specifically the non-zero Higgs Field. Another little caveat associated with this massless to mass transformation.

Before I can go any further, I need to give a down and dirty description of a field. Basically a field is just like what you are use too seeing in everyday life. A big open space of grass, wheat, corn or anything else stretching out in front of you for as far as you can see. Only in quantum physics you do not have plants, you have some type of energy. Every particle and a few other things have their own distinct and specific associated energy fields stretching throughout all of space. You cannot see, touch or interact with these energy fields but they are out there, everywhere. It turns out that it is very convenient to have these fields everywhere in the universe.

All of the different energy fields out there have a unique purpose; whenever necessary they kick out a virtual particle. Now a virtual particle is exactly like a real particle except for the fact that it does not exist in our universe, rather it exists in the field and pops into our universe when necessary to complete an interaction of some type. After the interaction is over, the virtual particle goes back into the field. And all of the interactions associated with any virtual particle, there are virtual particles for all fields, are done in a time span that is so quick it cannot be seen or recorded. This too is very convenient.

Getting back to giving the wave form of our particle some mass, this is where the Higgs Boson and the Higgs field come in. When a particle that is in its wave form needs to have mass for an interaction, a Higgs Boson pops out of the Higgs field, it interacts with the particle wave and gives the particle mass while also slowing down its motion. This former particle wave now it is ready to become part of our universe. Everything is smooth and straight forward, except that for the most part this is all theory. The Higgs Boson has been discovered in high energy particle acceleration collisions, but other than this everything else is a theory. And, it is a theory based on the initial presumption that the spontaneous symmetry breaking discussed above is real. Quantum physics being what it is, spontaneous symmetry breaking is simply accepted as being real because it can never be observed in any form. Put in simplest terms, “spontaneous symmetry breaking” was pulled out of nowhere in order to get rid of the longitudinal wave so that quantum wave particles can exist.

To be fair, the above explanation is a simplification of what happens. However, it is a valid description of what is occurring with “spontaneous symmetry breaking” and then the follow up interaction with the Higgs Boson. In other words, physicists had to make “spontaneous symmetry breaking” in order for a particle to have a quantum wave form. And then there has to be the Higgs Boson to interact with a particle wave and break the spontaneous symmetry order to give the particle mass. This is the way that it is, it had to be made so it could be broken.

21st CENTURY LUMINIFEROUS AETHER

In 1665, just before Newton’s work with light and prisms, the Italian Physicist Francesco Maria Grimaldi discovered the diffraction of light and said that light was behaving like a wave. In 1678 Dutch Physicist Christian Huygens established the wave nature of light. So, for around 200 years light was known to be a wave and the knowledge base at the time was that waves could only travel through some kind of medium like the waves on water. However, it was also known that light travelled through the vacuum of space, so the scientists of the day believed that there was a medium throughout the universe that light could travel through that scientist could not see or find.

The theoritical medium throughout the universe that light was using to travel as a wave was known as the Luminiferous Aether. The long story made short, in 1887 physicists Albert A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley performed the Michelson -  Morley Experiment in an attempt to locate and/or “see” the Aether. The experiment failed and is considered the first step toward showing that the Aether did not exist. In other words, before the Michelson – Morley experiment all of space in the universe was considered to be filled with an invisible medium that allowed light to travel throughout the expanse of the universe. We now know and clearly understand through experiments that light waves, or any electromagnetic waves, do not need a medium of any kind to travel through space or anywhere else.

Fast forward to today where 21^st century quantum physics has established the theory of “fields” that permeate all of space. These fields throughout space are associated with all of the known particles and they are in essence energy fields for the particles. Whenever interactions among particles are taking place these fields can kick in, or take away, energy to an interaction whenever it may be necessary. The process of energy exchange between a particle and its field is accomplished through virtual particles. These virtual particles pop out of the field add or remove energy as needed and then pop back into the energy fields all faster than the blink of an eye. The existence or life span of these virtual particles is so fast that they have never been seen in an experiments or particle collisions. Rather, they are theorized out of particle collisions to account for all of the collision energy. Out of all of the fields existing through space, the most important of these fields is the theorized “Non-Zero Higgs Field” and its associated particle the Higgs Boson.

The non-zero Higgs Field is in essence responsible for the Higgs Boson, which is a very special “force” carrying particle because without the Higgs Boson and its associated non-zero Higgs field there would be no mass in the universe and the universe as we know it would not exist. It should be noted that when I talk about “particle(s)” I am talking about the particles of the “Standard Model.”

In 1964 Belgium’s Francois Englert and Britain’s Peter Higgs independently theorized a subatomic particle that was an integral part of what ultimately became the Standard Model. This particle was later named the Higgs Boson, and along with this new particle comes the new Higgs field. The Higgs Boson was “discovered” in 2012 in a high energy particle collision. Based on current theories, the discovery of the Higgs Boson implies the existence of the Higgs Field.

The science of the time accepted that the theorized Luminiferous Aether had to be there throughout all of space in order for light to propagate even though the Aether was never seen. Today’s science theorizes fields, in particular the non-zero Higgs field, even though it has never been seen. The Higgs Boson and its theorized associated field throughout all of space are necessary for particles to have mass thus allowing matter to exist so the universe we live in can exist. When we look at the similarities of the Luminiferous Aether and light waves with the non-zero Higgs Field and its necessity for mass/matter, it’s difficult not to wonder if physics history is repeating itself. Given that the Higgs Boson and the Higgs Field must exist throughout all of space for mass/matter, just like the Luminiferous Aether had to for light waves, one has to wonder if it will be 200 years before science recognizes that the acceptance of this theory is also a mistake?

The Higgs Aether, also known as the Higgs Field, the 21^st century equivalent of the the 17^th century Luminiferous Aether.

STANDARD MODEL AND NEXT GENERATION OF MATTER

The Standard Model of Particles (Standard Model) is the building blocks and basis of the matter of our universe. However, this model is not without questions and issues. Despite the fact that the Standard Model is presented as the crowning glory of quantum physics, in my humble opinion there are so many questions with the Standard Model that at best it only represents a rough sketch for the matter in our universe. It is not possible to talk about the Standard Model without first giving some information about it. One of the easiest ways to do this is through one of the many charts that gives a pictorial view of what the standard model is. However, these charts can be confusing with all of the numbers and symbols on them. So for the discussion I am about to have a brief description will be better. 

There are 16 different “elementary particles” that make up the Standard Model. However, there could be up to 18 “elementary particles” if you choose to include a couple of other elementary particles that are new or theorized. However, for the first part of our discussion I only want to focus on 4 of the elementary particles in the Standard Model. The 4 particles have different classification but their names are most likely familiar to you, they are;

1. Electron
2. Neutrino (more precisely the Electron Neutrino)
3. Two Quarks, the Up (u) quark and the Down (d) quark.

These 4 particles are commonly referred to as the “first generation” or “first family” of the Standard Model. And, these 4 particles make up all of the matter known and seen in our universe. Therefore, they can be considered the basic particles of our universe. And yes, there is the question of Dark Matter, but for now we will talk about what we can see. The reality of this situation is that it is the Electron and the two Quarks are really the elementary particles that make up all of the matter of our universe. The Neutrino is actually kind of an odd man out. It is formed in high energy events and it is the most abundant particle in our universe. Other than being a “placeholder” to help balance energy and momentum collisions it simply runs around our universe doing its own thing, whatever that may be.

Working with the two quarks, these elementary particles are the building blocks of the proton and neutron. The proton is made up of two up quarks and one down quark, common notation I will use is (uud = P), while the neutron is made up of two down quarks and one up quark, (udd = N). Recall, the Proton and Neutron make up the nucleus of the atom and the electron hangs out just outside of the nucleus. The atom is part of every piece of matter in our universe, and the two quarks and the electron make the atom. Three easy pieces to everything we see.

This really is all there is to the makeup of all of the stars, galaxies and particles everywhere in our universe. It is that straight forward, quarks and electrons represent all there is to putting the matter in our universe together, and there is nothing more than that. I do have to say that there are a lot of “issues and questions” associated with respect to how the quarks build the Proton and Neutron, but they do and that is the bottom line for now. And, not to worry as there will be a lot more forthcoming discussion on the Standard Model.

Before moving forward I have to tell you about a very important concept in physics, symmetry. Symmetry is all about making sure that things look the same no matter where they may be or where they may be moved to or how they may be moved. Violations of symmetry are a big deal that need special circumstances and conditions in order to cover for them in physics. If solutions for symmetry violations cannot be found, then there is a major problem.

Keeping symmetry in mind, it turns out that there is a second generation or family of elementary particles, these particles are;

1. Muon
2. Muon Neutrino
3. Two Quarks, the Charm Quark (c) and the Strange Quark (s).

Notice the  comparison symmetry of the second generation with respect to the first. But, for clarity,

The Muon is exactly the same as the Electron except that the Muon is bigger.

The Muon Neutrino is the same as the Electron Neutrino size differences if any are still up for debate

The Charm Quark is the same as the Up Quark, except the Charm Quark is bigger and the Strange Quark is the same as the Down Quark, except the Strange Quark is bigger.

And next, there is a third generation or family of elementary particles, these particles are;

1. Tau
2. Tau Neutrino
3. Two Quarks, the Top quark (t) and the Bottom quark (b)

For clarity once again,

The Tau is the same as the Muon and Electron, only it is bigger than they are

The Tau Neutrino is the same as the Muon Neutrino and Electron Neutrino, and again, size differences if any between these three neutrinos has not been established

The Top Quark is the same as the Charm and Up Quarks only it is bigger than they are, and the Bottom Quark is the same as the Strange Quark and the Down Quark, only it is bigger than they are.

Nice clean natural symmetry between the three generations except for the increase in weight moving from the first to second generation and then the second to third generation. The change in mass between the generations means the third generation of particles is much, much larger than the first generation.

So, since the first generation of particles gives us the Proton and Neutron, where are the second and third generation of Protons and Neutrons? Well, they do not exist in our world. It turns out that the second and third generations of the Standard Model that I covered above do not naturally exist in our world as they are too heavy. They really only show up in high energy experiments. It turns out that there are a whole lot of particles that are found in high energy experiments that simply do not exist in our world.

Notice how I stated “do not exist in our world” and did not say anything about existence in our universe. I did this because I believe that when we look at the standard model with respect to symmetry, it is telling us that second and third generations of Protons and Neutrons must exist.  Since we do not see them they must exist in a part of our universe where we have not looked. For example, an infinite 4th dimension above our three dimensions. In other words, our own discoveries are telling us that we are not seeing all there is to see in our universe.

Here is the question that has to be asked, why would nature make up two whole generations of particles without there being some purpose to the particles? In fact, it is not possible to say that there are not a fourth, fifth and beyond generation of particles that are simply too heavy to ever exist in our world.

There really is so much more to our universe, we just have to start asking questions rather than accepting the status quo.

DARK MATTER and DARK ENERGY, the NEXT PHYSICS BREAKTHROUGH?

Dark Matter and Dark Energy, in my opinion this is the most interesting topic in physics today. So, what do we know about Dark Matter and Dark Energy, in a word NOTHING! Well, it is not completely nothing, but it is close.

The first and maybe most important point that must be made is that there is no information, facts or data that Dark Matter and Dark Energy are related. In other words, if physics actually discovers what one of them is, there is nothing to say that it will lead to the understanding of the other. I personally like to believe that the lack of understanding and knowledge regarding Dark Matter and Dark Energy does relate them to a new and bold concept in physics, but there are no facts or data that support my belief. However, there is the basic concept in physics of symmetry that Dark Matter and Dark Energy do correspond with.

The basic concept of symmetry is if there is an up there is a down, a particle has an anti-particle, for negative charges (electron) there is a positive charge (proton). In essence, symmetry keeps things neutral, or even, within our universe. Dark Matter was discovered and/or theorized because there was not enough gravity associated with the visible matter in the universe to pull things together and give us the universe we have. There has to be something else out there that has gravity, or acts like gravity, pulling things together so that what we see and know about the universe works the way we see it. Dark Energy on the other hand is pushing the universe apart; it is causing the universe to expand. This in essence means that the galaxies in the universe are moving further away from each other. There are some exceptions to this. So what we are ending up with is Dark Matter pulls things toward each other while Dark Energy pushes things apart. This is Symmetry.

Before going further it is important to cover some estimated (known) data. The current, generally accepted data necessary to explain the current “Big Bang” theory of cosmology is that the universe is made up of about 5% visible matter, about 27% Dark Matter and about 68% Dark Energy. That 5% of visible matter is every star in every galaxy along with every other kind of mass in the universe including every atom and particle existing everywhere within the universe. That is a whole lot of stuff representing a very small percentage of our known universe.

So, what are some of the theories for Dark Matter and Dark Energy? Start with the easiest one, Dark Energy. In a nutshell nobody has a clue what this is or could be. As stated above it is estimated to be the largest part of our universe and nothing is known about it or really theorized about it. All that can be said at this point in time is that it is there. As for Dark Matter, the most common theory is some new and exotic particle including but not limited to Axions and WIMPs, Weakly Interaction Massive Particles, which could include the Neutralinos and Photinos.

Without going into any details, new particles as discussed above would have to be consistent with what is known as the Standard Model. This is in essence the quantum mechanics based model of 17 basic particles that are responsible for all of the matter in the universe. As for the Standard Model, it has its own significant issues and will have its own paper in this blog. However, moving forward and building on the particle concept, the Neutralinos and Photinos would be part of what is known as Super Symmetry (SUSY) which is considered by many scientists to the biggest and most necessary part of String Theory and would add 12 new particles to the standard model. In short, none of these new SUSY particles have been discovered even though they were expected to be discovered by now.

Regarding the Neutralinos and Photinos from the SUSY particles, they are theorized to be massive particles that are anywhere from 10 to 100 times more massive than their average cousins the Neutrino and Photon. Despite their huge size they don’t interact with normal matter. And even though Neutrinos and Photons have been discovered, their massive beast cousins have yet to be found even though they are being looked for. Let’s say this another way, the biggest elementary particles out there cannot be found. What is so special about these massive particles that allow them to hide so well and how come other particles that have been theorized don’t hide like this?

Next in-line is the Axion particle. The Axion is theorized to be a million times smaller than an electron. The Axion also has another primary theoretical purpose. Recall above the point about symmetry being a basic concept, well it turns out that there is a symmetry problem associated with the standard model and the Axion is a particle theorized to solve this problem also. Like the Neutralino and Photino, the Axion is also theorized to be very weakly interacting with all other matter in the universe. The Axion is actively being searched for and it too has not yet been found.

The fact that none of these particles, or any other possible particles to explain Dark Matter, have not been found is not the biggest problem. Recall from above that the visible matter in the universe is about 5% of the total matter and Dark Matter is about 27%. In other words, Dark Matter is about 5.5 times more abundant in the universe than physical matter. This means that any of these theoretical particles that might account from dark matter has to be 5.5 times more abundant than all of the matter we currently have and see out there in our universe. This means that the Big Bang not only had to account for all of the matter we see in the universe, it also has to account for 5.5 times more mass in a single particle. There is absolutely nothing symmetrical about this, and it just simply does not make sense.

There are a couple of other theories being talked about to account for Dark Matter. One of them is MOND, Modified Newtonian Dynamics. Basically this theory is that gravity as we know it and described by Isaac Newton is variable. In other words, depending on the circumstances gravity can vary in the universe and this variance depending on circumstances accounts for the universe we see today. MOND is an interesting theory and is considered a serious area of research by some. The biggest problem of MOND that is being worked on is that it does not fit well with Space-Time in Einstein’s relativity theory.

One other theory that pops up but does not have much if any following is Negative Mass Matter. The easiest way to think of Negative Mass Matter is that it is basically anti-gravity. Rather than pulling things together, it pushes them apart. There is not a lot that can be said about this theory because of its limited following and how do you really go about describing Negative Mass Matter? Not saying that this theory is invalid, it has some fascinating applications. However, until there is a better understanding of how it exists it is going to stay in the not a large following category.

I generally try to stay away from my beliefs on things that I write about, but this topic is an exception for me. In 1921 Theodor Kaluza came up with a 5-D theory that had a basis in Riemannian Geometry. 5-D is one time dimension and 4 space dimensions instead of the 3 space dimensions we currently live in. However, Kaluza’s theory did not go over well with the growing field of quantum mechanics so it was not taken seriously by the physicist/scientists of the time. I believe that Kaluza’s 5-D theory could very well be true and that Dark Matter and Dark Energy are overlaps of the extra larger fourth dimension onto our 3-D Universe. Hey, it is no worse of a theory than Negative Mass Matter.   

EDITORIAL: PHYSIC AND SCIENCE IT IS TIME TO STEP UP

I know that at times with what I have written it may not seem like I love physics. But I really do. Physics is the key to our vast and wonderful universe. However, right not it seems to me like physics is not going anywhere. The following is a paragraph from another piece I recently wrote for my other blog;

Looking at technology advancements, we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were 5000+ years ago, that is obvious. The same is true for physics. However, regarding today’s physics, our scientists and physicist are so engaged and focused on so very little. Today’s scientist does not see the problems with what they believe to be the final answer to everything. That is, they do not even know or clearly understand the science and physics that they have today. The classic example that clearly shows we are not as smart as we think we are, quantum physics. Specifically, they cannot even agree on how to interpret quantum physics. The mere fact that today’s scientists currently believe that they are working on the final answers shows their own arrogance and ignorance. This is especially true given there are so many different places to look for more answers. But rather than ask questions, or think outside of the box and use their own imagination today’s scientist would rather try and disprove anything that questions the direction of their current beliefs.

I very much believe this to be absolutely true and offer the following information.

Quantum physics is all about fields and particles. The standard model is the current theory regarding particles and quantum physics was used to predict many of the 17 particles of the standard model. I am also counting the Higgs Boson as it too was predicted. Quantum Field Theory, QFT, is the current theory of fields. I am not going to go into details now but after reading a couple books on QFT I believe that QFT is an absolute mess. And very briefly, fields are various types of energy that exist at every point in space. Imagine looking out over a field of grass or a crop field along the side of the road. This large field is made up of individual blades of grass or of the crop of plants. In QFT each individual blade of grass or crop plant would represent a packet of energy. With respect to our universe, if you were to stick your hand out in front of you every point in space that your hand goes through has 24 different fields of energy associated with it…. Feel any?

So, what does this have to do with closed minded science let’s give some examples, starting with one of the most commonly known theories of our universe, the Big Bang. According to the Big Bang model our universe popped into existence and expanded outward resulting in the forces and matter that were needed to form galaxies. All is good so far. But…… at the very beginning of the universe popping into existence it experienced a phase that scientists call the “inflationary period.” Let me explain this in the most straightforward manner I can think of;

In an incredibility short period of time after the start of the Big Bang this inflationary period started. To be clear, the short period of time being referred too is so short that it is not really measurable, it is primarily mathematical.

The inflationary period lasted an incredibly short period of time. Again, this time span is mathematically accepted because it is so short.

During this incredibility short time span our universe expanded at an unimaginable rate of acceleration and speed over a very large unknown distance.

This by itself is hard to imagine as being real, but guess what is theorized as being responsible for all of this; the “Inflaton” field and/or particle. And it gets better, right after the inflationary period ended the inflaton field and/or particle disappeared without a trace. So, a field and a particle are simply present at the beginning to make everything work and then disappear without a trace when its “job” is done. My opinion on this, scientists are finding a cause, the “inflaton” for a theory that cannot be proven using the physics they want to be true.

Another concept for our universe is Dark Matter and Dark Energy. Dark Matter was first credited to Fritz Zwicky based on his study of the Coma Cluster of Galaxies. However, the first theory of dark matter goes back to 1922. The theory of dark matter was pretty much ignored for around 50 years. Dark Matter and Energy only became something to study because too much was being observed in the universe that could not be explained. And now we have String Theory, which is also all about particles and fields. Well, having something like Dark Matter that cannot be fitted into String Theory is not good. So, what is occurring, science is predicting exotic particles in order to explain Dark Matter. Current science is saying that there is an undiscovered particle in the universe that accounts for dark matter and science is now working very hard to find this particle. There are a couple of different particles that have floated to the top of the theory that are being looked for, but so far no luck. Keep in mind, another particle, or two, means another energy field at every point in space.

Since the particles to explain Dark Matter consistent with the Standard Model cannot be found there are now some scientists saying that the research and evidence for Dark Matter is flawed and it really does not exist. If you do not find what you want, find away to get rid of the problem, this is just bad science.

There is one more point to make regarding dark matter and a new particle, Dark Matter is estimated to make up around 27% of the universe. All of the billions and billions of stars and galaxies that we see in the universe are estimated to make up 5% of the entire universe. The other 95% of the universe is made up of 27% Dark Matter and 68% Dark Energy. This means that the new theoretical particle has to be 5.5 times more abundant then all of the current mass in the universe. Let me say it this way, this new particle is the same as having 5.5 more universes squished into our current universe. Just think about that from a logic and reality stand point.

There are other things showing the closed focus of today’s physics and science. I will be covering some of these things in their own pieces.

Something that is important that I need to be clear about, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with Quantum Physics, the Standard Model or another physical concepts. What I am saying is that these things are incomplete. There are way too many questions associated with today’s physics and physical concepts that have no answers. Science needs to be working on answering a lot of questions, which will undoubtedly lead to more questions, before saying we are on our way to knowing all there is to know.

Our universe is a wondrous place; science should not try and cut it short.

DARK MATTER, DARK ENERGY and NONLOCALITY

THIS IS A DRAFT PIECE

I wanted to get this posted to let people know that I am working on these subjects. I believe that these subjects represent some of the most important future aspects of physics and guess what; the science community is pretty much ignoring them. Let me cover some of the areas that I will be writing about.

NONLOCALITY, this topic is actually a significant issue associated with Quantum Physics. It is the spooky action at a distance that Einstein was so concerned about and for today it is quantum entanglement. The conflict has to do with local forces and actions verse non-local actions. Here is the thing, what if we can add to our current beliefs and create a situation where Nonlocality disappears and everything can be considered local. I believe that I have a potential theory that would allow this to occur.

DARK MATTER and DARK ENERGY, I believe that these two things have the same basis. That is they are associated with a related concept. I also believe that this basic concept was theorized just about 100 years ago.

Current science is trying to relate dark matter to an unknown particle as part of the Standard Model. This just does not make any sense at all.

The Standard Model, there is so much there, but nobody wants to upset the apple cart and take it to another step.

And, what if all of these things are really related? What would it do to open up or physics today? I believe that they are related and the scientist finally need to start moving into other theory and area beyond the stagnation that has occurred and led us to nothing for the last 40+ years.

I thought that it was important to get this out there for thoughts as I am starting to work on it.

UNIFICATION OF RELATIVITY AND QUANTUM PHYSICS

Grand Unification Theories (GUTs) or Theories of Everything (TOEs) are the Holy Grail of today’s physics. Finding the theory, concept, rule or law that combines the electromagnetic forces of quantum physics with the gravitational force of gravity in relativity is the focus of most all of the work in physics today. String Theory and some of its associated theories, such as Super-Symmetry takes up the lion’s share of current research. There are also the Quantum Gravity Theories, including Loop Quantum Gravity, another theory is Super-Determinism and there is also the multiverse along with a few more. Is chasing anyone of the GUTs of TOEs the right thing to be doing? I say NO!

Here is the thing, all of these GUTs and TOEs are mathematical models, none of which can be experimentally proven. String Theory, the most commonly known of the models, has been around for about 45 years. In other words, physicists have been working on String Theory for a really long time and they are no closer to proving their mathematical model today than they were 45 years ago. In fact I believe it is fair to say that there are more questions associated with String Theory today then there were 45 years ago.

String Theory is the one that gets all of the current publicity and it is the one that has all of the various dimensions. These dimensions are supposed to occur in the space below the smallest distance we know of. Let me give you a few more details about this; one form of String Theory has 10 dimensions, 9 space dimensions one of time, another one has 11 dimensions, 9 of space, one of time and one of energy, and another one has 26 dimensions. And, in all of these theories, these extra dimensions are “compactified” down into a space that has a distance so small we can never ever see it or work within it. This really does just beg the question can science really understand a distance this small? The name of this distance is the “Planck Length.”

Are we really supposed to accept something such as this that can never be proven, or disproven? Oh, and it gets better; String Theory actually has an infinite number of possible dimensions. That is, pick a number, any number and that number of dimensions can exist in String Theory. The current number of String Theory dimensions has been “discovered” because they do not blow up mathematically. In other words, out of an infinite number of possible dimensions, science will only look at a couple that work.

Let’s be honest here, does this really make any sense at all? And, how can we, the average person and even the science community, really be expected to buy into something when the “experts” cannot even agree on how many dimensions there should be out of an infinite number of possibilities? Are we all supposed to believe that as beautiful and wonderful nature truly is that is operates on something as complex as string theory? Me personally, I think that any theory that has an infinite number of wrong, or more precisely impossible, answers is not right. This can actually be taken one step further, given that there are an infinite number of possible dimensions how does science know that theory 500, 5000 or even more dimensions is not possible? If 10, 11 or 26 dimensions are acceptable who is to decide that this is where we stop? 

There is one thing I would like to mention regarding GUTs, TOEs and multiple dimensional theories, there has been some form of work on a GUT or TOE for almost 100 years. Theodor Kaluza’s multi-dimensional theory for trying to unify quantum and relativity came out in 1921. Here is the difference between Kaluza’s theory and the current string theory, Kaluza’s theory was 5 total dimension, 4 of space and one of time. And, his fourth dimensions was not smaller than the smallest thing we know, instead it was above and encompassed, our three dimensions. The physicist in power at the time had an argument against Kaluza’s original theory so he tried to work things out by making the 4^th dimension small and it did not work out. I will be writing about Kaluza’s theory in the future, but in the meantime I would offer this food for thought and a larger 4^th dimension, dark matter and dark energy.

I believe that there is another significant argument against GUTs and TOEs, and that is basic understanding. If unification of quantum and relativity were possible to accomplish, then the first step toward completing unification would be a complete understanding of relativity and quantum. And scientists are not even close to accomplishing this for either quantum or relativity. Currently quantum theory is probabilistic while relativity is deterministic. And, relativity is the physics of very big things and long distances while quantum is the physics of very small things and short distances. On the most basic of basic levels these two things do not match. And if they do not match, how can they possibly be unified?

Physicist and scientists do not understand the complete workings of black holes which fall under relativity. In quantum, there needs to be an understanding of the duality and uncertainty associated with atomic and subatomic particles. Again, these are the basics of the basics of relativity and quantum and if there is no complete understanding of these things how is it even possible to believe that unification can be accomplished. The current thought among today’s scientist is that by coming up with a unification theory then we will be able to have all of our questions about relativity and quantum answered which in turn will provide a complete understanding of these two branches of physics. Isn’t this backwards? Don’t we have to understand the basic components before we can understand the combined? Even more important, if physicist and scientists do not completely understand relativity or quantum how can they possibly know that a unification theory is right and provides the right answers?

If all of the previous information was not enough to show that unification is not possible, I have one more consideration, I have saved the best for last. There is absolutely nothing in any part of any physics that requires any GUTs, TOEs, or any kind of unification. Unification is completely man made. It can be argued that since any kind of unification, GUT or TOE is something that physicist want to do and is not required by nature there is no need for it, and that the lack of a natural requirement could mean that it is something that cannot be accomplished. In other words, rather than trying accomplish something that we can never be proven and is not even required by nature  maybe science should be working on something that is a little more beneficial to all of humanity.

RIP Professor Freeman Dyson

I need to take a moment to recognize an outstanding mathematician and physicist who passed away on February 28, 2020, Professor Freeman Dyson. Professor Dyson really was a brilliant man who motivated me in many ways. He won numerous awards and recognition and has theorems and mathematical processes named after him. Despite his many achievements and recognition he was never considered for a Nobel Prize, an oversight many of his colleagues questioned. There was a theory for this Nobel oversight of Professor Freeman’s accomplishments and contributions to math and science, he was not a Ph.D., he had a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics. To me this was actually his greatest contribution all of us, he was proof that intelligence and understanding is not based on the kind or amount of initials a person has after their name.

God Speed Professor Dyson. I greatly appreciate all that you have done for math and the sciences and the help you provided me. I hope that this new stage of your life brings you new opportunities and the chance to see one of your greatest predictions, a Dyson Sphere.

THE PROTON: ITS UNTOLD STORY

We have all heard of the proton. It is one of the standard atomic particles. The proton and the neutron make up the nucleus of the atom. This means that it is one of the basic building blocks of everything we know in the universe, everything! This makes the proton pretty important in our universe. Just some quick fact/information about the proton;

Ernest Rutherford is credited with discovering the proton in 1911.

In the Standard Model (particles) it is a Baryon and comes under the category of Fermions.

I put this info about the proton being a Baryon in the category of Fermions for two reasons; to introduce the “Standard Model” because we will be talking about that a lot, and to show how complicated things can get.

Here is where it gets good, how many protons are there?

The standard answer that we have all been taught for years is one, there is only one proton. This is not exactly true. There are at least three different protons and I would argue that there are four.   

The current information associated with the standard model is that the proton is made up of three first generation quarks. The first generation quarks are the “up” quark and the “down” quark. The ‘up’ and ‘down’ quarks are all that we need to be concerned with for this piece.

As I just stated there are three quarks in the proton. But since there are only two quarks that are being used one of them must be doubled, it is the ‘up’ quark. So, the proton is made of two ‘up’ quarks and one ‘down’ quark. It turns out that there are a whole bunch of rules that need to be followed for combining quarks into particles, thank you quantum physics. One of the rules is commonly referred to the exclusionary principle and it basically says that I cannot have two of the same quarks combined in a particle. But, the proton has two ‘up’ quarks so how is this combination allowed in the proton…. Well the current theory is that all quarks come in three colors; red, blue and green. These are not “real” colors, rather they are assigned identifiers. And, since there are three colors of quarks in order to avoid exclusionary conflicts any particle made of three quarks must be color neutral. In the case of the proton we will say that color neutrality is obtained by having one quark of each color.

So, when we use the rules with what we have we come up with the following protons…. (Note that “protons” is plural, and for individual identity purposes each proton has been named by the color of the ‘down’ quark.)

Blue Proton => DOWN blue, UP red, UP green

Red Proton => DOWN red, UP green, UP blue

Green Proton => DOWN green, UP blue, UP red

Each of these three protons are color neutral and they do not have the same ‘up’ quark, they comply with the rules.

In looking at our universe and making things work, the simple statement would be that all three of these protons behave exactly the same. So, how do we know this? We do not. A red rose is not a yellow rose and not all roses are the same as there is the rose bush, the climbing rose and many other kinds of rose plants. I also believe that a logic argument could be made that since there is a required color neutrality and exclusionary principle they cannot be the same.

Let’s convolute this even more. In the standard model there is a whole class of particles called “Baryons.” All Baryons are made up of three quarks. We already have three varieties of the proton so this should be the close of the matter. Not so fast. There is also the “Delta+” Baryon made up of two ‘up’ quarks and one ‘down’ quark just like our proton. The difference is that the Delta+ Baryon has about a 30% greater rest mass than the proton. In other words, the Delta+ Baryon is the same as the Proton, just more rest mass. (This relates to a really great question, how does a standard proton obtain a 30% greater rest mass?)

Let’s toss one more little interesting piece of information into this mess; a free Proton has an estimated half-life of about 10³² years, which is a one followed by 33 zeros. For perspective the universe is about 13.8 billion years old, for comparison 13.8 X 10⁹ years old. The Delta+ Baryon, the proton that isn’t a proton, it has a lifetime (not a half-life) of 0.6 X 10^-23 seconds. This is 23 zeros between the ‘6’ and the ‘.’.      

Let me list the above times for a better visual comparison:

The free Proton has a half-life of 10³² years,

And the Delta+ has a lifetime of 10^-23 seconds.

This existence difference due only to a 30% energy difference does not make any sense, it is just illogical.

One more piece of information, the neutron which is the partner of the proton in the nucleus of all atoms that make up everything in the known universe is also made up of three quarks, two ‘down’ and one ‘up’ (flip one of ‘up’ quarks in a proton to a ‘down’ quark and you have a neutron. There is a 0.1% energy difference between a neutron and a proton. Guess what, a free neutron has a half-life of about 12 minutes. This too is a long, long way from the proton’s half-life. And guess what happens when a neutron decays, it becomes a proton and a few other things.

Let’s put all of this together. You have a free neutron; free in this case means it is out there all by itself and is not part of the nucleus of any atom. In about 12 minutes this neutron is going to become a proton, and a few other things, and doing this it is now going to basically live forever. Unless, something happens to it and it picks up about 30% more rest mass and becomes a Delta+ baryon (proton), then it is going to die in a blink of an eye and become a regular proton again, which it what it was before it changed and died. Why would nature do this, what purpose does all of this serve?

I just read a passage where a physicist said that he likes consistency in numbers, and that there was an additional “beauty” when numbers align. With respect to the standard model of particles as I recall he was talking about how the number three was consistent in so many things associated with this model. Well, here are a couple of more threes. I just showed that there were three varieties of protons as well as three states for the proton. Let’s randomly put the varieties of protons identified above with a state;

Blue Proton => DOWN blue, UP red, UP green: assigned to the bound state in an atom.

Red Proton => DOWN red, UP green, UP blue: assigned to the free, unbound state.

Green Proton => DOWN green, UP blue, UP red: assigned to the Delta+ state.

Why did I do this, because it is impossible to say that this cannot occur. There are three distinct varieties of protons as shown above. There are also three specific states that the proton can be in. So tell me why there cannot be some kind of matchup between proton variety and states. And, this is just two more incidents of the number three, which according to some should be a beautiful consistency.

Something to think about, and a few things that should be readily explainable.

INVESTIGATING PHYSICS

I am here to investigate physics. What does this mean, “Investigate Physics?” To me it means digging deeper into current important topics of today’s physics and asking questions to make sure that everything is consistent. What if we have not been told the whole story about what is going on with today’s physics? What if there are problems with our current physical view of things and the problems are just being ignored and/or swept under the carpet?

Why would I want to investigate physics? Physics has been involved with my life for a long time, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I did not work in physics, but I used physics in my careers. Personally, I think physics is the greatest science in the world and I have been reading and following the biggest current physics topics for a number of years. As a result of the time I have spent learning more about today’s physics, I started developing a lot of questions. So I started researching to look for answers. When I could not find answers to my questions this led to even more questions and more research and digging. In other words, I have already started investigating physics and discovering lots of inconsistencies in the information being given to us.

There is also the issue of public relations for today’s physics. For years I/we have been reading about and heard about all of these great and wondrous things that are going on in physics today. There has been so much talk about string theory, unification theories, discovering what dark matter and dark energy are, and explaining the universe to us. So, where are all of the explanations for these things? I am very much interested in hearing about the next steps that are going to occur in our universe. A unification theory will hopefully give insight on how our universe formed without anti-matter thus allowing us to come into being. We have been waiting for years and have gotten nothing.

So who am I to think that I can investigate today’s physics? Actually, I think I am uniquely qualified to do this. Let me explain. I was an investigator on a police department for almost 20 years before graduating with my undergraduate physics degree. At the time of my graduation I was also married and raising a family with a wonderful woman whom I am still married to. In other words, I was studying physics while doing a whole bunch of other life things. So, physics was not the central point of my life. Also, I was in my mid-forties when I graduated and was in the process of a career change, but still doing investigations. And again, with the career change, physics was a tool in my work life, but it was not a central point in my life. Things stayed this way until my retirement a few years back.

Retirement a few years ago started a new stage in life for me. Physics was still not a central point in my life but the time I spend reading and learning more about physics significantly increased which in turn increased the amount of time I spent on physics. I already had some questions, so this extra time spent on learning more about today’s physics ended up causing me to have a lot more questions on a lot of additional things. In retirement, I had the time to do more research looking for answers. Unfortunately answers to my questions were not being found. It is a funny thing, when you have a question and you cannot get an answer for it this leads to a lot more questions. This is where I am at today.

I think that it is easy to see that the universe we live in is truly a wonderful and exciting place. Even from our confined location on an average planet rotating around an average sun in an average galaxy within our universe it is not hard to see and imagine the wonders around us. Physics is the key to learning about all of these wonders. I believe it always has been, and it always will be. So, the people who made the decision on their own to work on finding the keys to the universe kind of have the responsibility to make sure that they are actually looking for the keys. They must be asking themselves lots of questions about all they find and think they have discovered. They have to make sure that what they are working on will actually do something to move life forward. They have to make sure that they accurately answer all questions, and that they understand all of their answers. Understanding is the first step toward heading in the right direction. In other words, today’s physicists, scientists and mathematicians have to be experts in their work instead of advocates for their work justifying what they think might be right.

Am I the right person to be a “Physics Detective?” Only time will tell. However, if I have questions that cannot be answered, there has to be others that also have the same questions. So, let’s ask the questions and see what happens. If I am wrong, so be it, no harm no foul. If my questions are valid, let’s see where they can lead us.