Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: nicky on 22/01/2009 09:30:01

Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: nicky on 22/01/2009 09:30:01
nicky asked the Naked Scientists:
   
The conclusion for the double split experiment was that particles behave
differently when 'being observed' - ie it was mysteriously just the ACT
of us OBSERVING that changes particle behaviour.

Is it not possible that it was the observing APPARATUS ITSELF that was interfering with the particle behaviour & therefore the experiment ?

How exactly did they detect the respective particles (photons/electrons)- what type of apparatus did they use? No one ever questions this?


What do you think?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 22/01/2009 09:41:51
Why are there so many people asking about this double slit experiment?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: demadone on 22/01/2009 09:53:21
I have problems understanding the hologram theory. It sounds absurd. But I guess it deserves the benefit of a doubt.

So 3D doesn't exist? This isn't science.
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 22/01/2009 09:56:39
Quote
Why are there so many people asking about this double slit experiment?

Because it's so interesting?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 22/01/2009 10:02:38
Are you interested in it too?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 22/01/2009 10:14:24
It blows my mind actually
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: demadone on 22/01/2009 10:26:11
In the back of my mind, when I read about the hologram theory, I was hoping they got wrong readings or that the theory is wrong. I need to find an easier explanation of the theory.
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: lightarrow on 22/01/2009 12:08:49
nicky asked the Naked Scientists:
   
The conclusion for the double split experiment was that particles behave
differently when 'being observed' - ie it was mysteriously just the ACT
of us OBSERVING that changes particle behaviour.

Is it not possible that it was the observing APPARATUS ITSELF that was interfering with the particle behaviour & therefore the experiment ?

How exactly did they detect the respective particles (photons/electrons)- what type of apparatus did they use? No one ever questions this?


What do you think?
It's only ~ 80 years that physicists are discussing about these things  [:)]
When, in divulgative books or papers, they talk about 'being observed' they usually (but not always!) mean 'detected' by the apparatus.
What you say about the apparatus 'interfering' with the particle behaviour should be better expressed in this way:
"Is it possible that the real property of the particle considered doesn't exist, independently of the measuring apparatus?"
That's exactly what I think, but it's only a special kind of interpretation of QM: 'Relational Interpretation':
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-relational/
Quote
The core idea is to read the theory as a theoretical account of the way distinct physical systems affect each other when they interact (and not of the way physical systems "are")

Of course we have discussed these things a lot of times in this forum...
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: lyner on 22/01/2009 12:37:10
I have problems understanding the hologram theory. It sounds absurd. But I guess it deserves the benefit of a doubt.

So 3D doesn't exist? This isn't science.
What didn't you get about holograms?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: LeeE on 23/01/2009 00:57:01
Hologram theory in what sense?  Are you questioning how holograms work, or the idea that every fragment of anything contains a representation of everything?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: demadone on 23/01/2009 08:59:20
I can't understand why the observed flakiness in the observed light leads to a conclusion that things are actually happening in a distant point of the universe. What is transmitting the 3D hologram and in what medium?
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: lightarrow on 23/01/2009 09:16:17
Hologram theory in what sense?  Are you questioning how holograms work, or the idea that every fragment of anything contains a representation of everything?
I think demadone is talking about the theory of the holographyc universe:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_principle
http://community.livejournal.com/ref_sciam/1190.html

However I don't understand what this has to do with the OP's question.
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: demadone on 23/01/2009 09:49:49
Oops, my bad. I mistook the double slit experiment with something about the flakiness of split light from very distant galaxies. Sorry if I confused anyone [>:(] [;D].
Title: In the double slit experiment, is the observing apparatus influencing the result?
Post by: LeeE on 23/01/2009 10:47:18
Ah right - thanks lightarrow.