Jump to content

Has the Double Slit experiment ever been conducted in zero gravity?


pittsburghjoe

Recommended Posts

Before you laugh this off, how could you possibly know for sure gravity doesn't effect interference at the atomic scale? Shouldn't this have been the first test they did on ISS?

Because physicists can do math.

 

Gravity does affect interference (though it does not effect interference). Interferometry can be used to determine gravitational effects, if you set the experiment up properly. But the standard two-slit experiment? Gravity has a negligible effect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect that it will show us something odd when doing the test without detectors (other than the odd thing it currently shows us). The math we can currently do on wave phenomenon is pretty weak. Isn't worth a shot? Are you saying Quantum gravity wouldn't have an affect?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect that it will show us something odd when doing the test without detectors (other than the odd thing it currently shows us). The math we can currently do on wave phenomenon is pretty weak. Isn't worth a shot? Are you saying Quantum gravity wouldn't have an affect?

We don't have a theory of quantum gravity, and no lab access to situations where one could be tested, so that's moot.

 

How do you do a test without detectors?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no we haven't done these in zero G afiak but as Swansont mentioned gravity has an extremely miniscule effect on a particle.

 

Its so miniscule of an effect we can't even measure it directly on an individual particle. If we could we would be A long ways to having a quantum gravity theory.

 

Believe me any physicist would love to be able to quantize gravity at the individual particle level

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If we cant measure gravity on a measured particle what makes you think we can measure gravity on a superimposed particle? Other than using interferometry as Swansont mentioned?.

 

 

You really need to try to understand the sheer difficulty it is to avoid decoherence or measure g on any individual particle. Its not like we can place a proton on a scale lol.

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just set up a double slit and let the particles fly. The interference pattern might give us more insight into wave phenomenon.

You really have no clue about the physics here, do you? If you did, you could calculate the gravitational effect and compare it to the properties the particles have, and see. But no, all you've presented is a conjecture based on no physics at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im sure that's probably on some project list. The factor here being sheer cost and complexity. This article describes some of the higher precision tests. Including the effect of gravity.

 

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://arxiv.org/pdf/1410.0270&ved=0ahUKEwjrhKqls9nQAhUD9GMKHRFpBREQFggwMAc&usg=AFQjCNGG7wfR36VttVRAyWwgkaX3KfhS2A

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You really have no clue about the physics here, do you? If you did, you could calculate the gravitational effect and compare it to the properties the particles have, and see. But no, all you've presented is a conjecture based on no physics at all.

 

So, you aren't going to make a call to NASA for me? How do you calculate the gravitational effect on a free particle?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you should understand the double slit experiment better first. Sending it up in a balloon won't change any results. Sorry

 

The difference in g at height from Earth surface is far far too miniscule to affect the two slit.

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No thats not how superposition works.

 

Superposition states the probability of a particle being at a given location. That does not mean two places at once. That means a % chance of being at a particular location.

 

Until you measure and determine the location all probable locations are possible.

 

Have you never studied statistical mechanics? Superposition is a term used quite often in statistics. Not just quantum particles.

 

Ripples on a pond, waves on a rope being two macroscopic examples.

 

"In physics and systems theory, the superposition principle, also known as superposition property, states that, for all linear systems, the net response at a given place and time caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses which would have been caused by each stimulus individually"

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

crazier results still require understanding the meaning behind the terminology as well as understanding how physics works. If you understood the meaning of superposition then you would know there is nothing unusual or weird about it

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

that is a very foolish assertion. Considering were trying to help you understand basic terminology and scientific methods.

 

In all honesty QM merely looks tough, once you learn the terminology and realize those terminologies originated from mathematical terms. ie superposition, eugenvalue, eugenstate etc. QM becomes incredibly easy to understand.

 

Same goes for relativity and Cosmology. The physics terminology is mostly mathematical terms.

 

The only reason Swansont and myself know as much as we do is years of diligent study. Even today I still study, I've been doing so for over 35 years. I still learn new stuff to this very day.

Edited by Mordred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Has the Double Slit experiment ever been conducted in zero gravity?

 

Double slit experiment can be done with photons, or with electrons, or other particles.

You should clarify which version you're interested in.

In the case of electrons, there are used thousands volts to accelerate them, to pretty significant velocity.

Electrons will have quite high kinetic energy.

1000 V = up to 1000 eV kinetic energy, which is gamma=1.0019569513, which is velocity=~ 18700 km/s. 31 times more than enough to escape entire galaxy.

Edited by Sensei
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.