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8 shocking things we learned from Stephen Hawking's book
The book covers major questions about the nature and origin of the universe.
Thu, Nov 04 2010 at 11:03 AM
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Photo: Robert Gendler/NASA
From the idea that our universe is one among many, to the revelation that mathematician Pythagoras didn't actually invent the Pythagorean theorem, here are eight shocking things we learned from reading physicist Stephen Hawking's new book, "The Grand Design," written with fellow physicist Leonard Mlodinow of Caltech.
The book, covering major questions about the nature and origin of the universe, was released Sept. 7 by its publisher, Bantam.
1. The past is possibility
According to Hawking and Mlodinow, one consequence of the theory of quantum mechanics is that events in the past that were not directly observed did not happen in a definite way. Instead they happened in all possible ways. This is related to the probabilistic nature of matter and energy revealed by quantum mechanics: Unless forced to choose a particular state by direct interference from an outside observation, things will hover in a state of uncertainty.
According to Hawking and Mlodinow, one consequence of the theory of quantum mechanics is that events in the past that were not directly observed did not happen in a definite way. Instead they happened in all possible ways. This is related to the probabilistic nature of matter and energy revealed by quantum mechanics: Unless forced to choose a particular state by direct interference from an outside observation, things will hover in a state of uncertainty.
For example, if all we know is that a particle traveled from point A to point B, then it is not true that the particle took a definite path and we just don't know what it is. Rather, that particle simultaneously took every possible path connecting the two points.
Yeah, we're still trying to wrap our brains around this.
The authors sum up: "No matter how thorough our observation of the present, the (unobserved) past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities."
2. The power of light
This fun fact: A 1-watt night-light emits a billion billion photons each second.
Photons are the little packets that light comes in. Confusingly, they, like all particles, behave as both a particle and a wave.
3. Theory of everything
If there is any "theory of everything" that can describe the whole universe, it is M theory, according to Hawking and Mlodinow. This model is a version of string theory, which posits that at the tiniest levels all particles are fundamentally little loops of string that vibrate at different frequencies. And, if true, all matter and energy would follow rules derived from the nature of these strings.
"M theory is the only model that has all the properties we think the final theory ought to have," the authors write.
One consequence of this theory is that our universe is not the only one – untold numbers of cousin universes exist with different physical laws and properties.
4. General relativity
If most people think of general relativity at all, they assume this high-minded idea of Einstein's applies only to super-large objects completely outside the realm of normal life, such as galaxies and black holes.
But actually, the warping of space-time does affect things we know and use, the authors point out.
"If general relativity were not taken into account in GPS satellite navigation systems, errors in global positions would accumulate at a rate of about ten kilometers each day," the book states. That's because general relativity describes how time flows slower the closer an object is to a large mass. Thus, depending on satellites' distances from Earth, their onboard clocks will run at slightly different speeds, which could offset position calculations unless this effect is taken into account."
5. Oppressed fish
A few years ago, the city council of Monza, Italy, barred pet owners from keeping goldfish in curved bowls. This law was meant to protect the poor fish from a distorted nature of reality, since bent light might show them an odd portrayal of their surroundings.
Hawking and Mlodinow bring up the incident to make the point that it is impossible to know the true nature of reality. We think we have an accurate picture of what's going on, but how would we know if we were metaphorically living in a giant fishbowl of our own, since we would never be able to see outside our own point of view to compare?
6. Pythagoras stole the credit
In passing, the authors casually assert that the famous Greek mathematician Pythagoras did not actually discover the Pythagorean theorem.
A little digging suggests the formula (a2 + b2 = c2, which describes the relationship between the three sides of a right triangle) was actually known earlier. The Babylonians, for example, seem to have documented the basic idea in ancient mathematical tablets before Pythagoras came on the scene in 570 B.C.
7. Quarks are never lonely
Quarks, the adorably named building blocks of protons and neutrons, come only in groups, never alone. Apparently, the force that binds quarks together increases with distance, so the farther one tries to pry a lone quark away, the harder it will pull back. Therefore, free quarks never exist in nature.
Protons and neutrons are both made of three quarks. (Protons contain two "up"-flavored quarks and one "down," while neutrons have two downs and one up.)
8. The universe is its own creator
One of the most talked-about assertions in the whole book is that we don't need the idea of God to explain what sparked the creation of the universe.
"It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going," Hawking and Mlodinow write.
Instead, the laws of science alone can explain why the universe began. Our modern understanding of time suggests that it is just another dimension, like space. Thus it doesn't have a beginning.
"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing," they write. "Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."
This article was reprinted with permission from LiveScience.
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The most telling observation is the flat earth observation of the past. If you told people then how it really was they would laugh. Today we see the world the same way only one level higher. There are many levels to go.
I've realized that trying to convince atheists/agnostics that God exists is a waste of breath. So I acquiesce that all have a right to their own beliefs (well, in some countries). I studied with many different religions before I found my faith in Christ. I'm glad my curiosity and apprehensive nature led me to ask questions, visit many faiths and found happiness in mine. Peace to all. I won't be posting any more on this subject.
I strongly disagree w/Blizno.The Christians are fighting for our freedom to believe.You would have us pray in hiding as in China?Separation of church&state,yes.Forcing God outof USA is sadly happening
I consider the concept that many atheists support "the universe became as its own creator","the big bang theory", i.e. as negatives.These weren't observed/documented/recorded either.God is real <3
Yours is a fascinating addition which I'm happy to see here.
I understand your argument, but there are too many factors that go into the argument. As using your example of the tree that fell with no one around. Yes, one could speculate on how the tree fell, and the path it took, but that is all someone can do is speculate. You can say the tree hit this tree, and that shows it fell that way, but what actual path the tree took while falling is impossible to determine. That is what is meant when Hawking says all possible ways.
All this quavering Quaylesque religious quarreling over quantum field theories
leaves me in a quandary and makes me want to quaff quantifiable quantities of tequila.
Asimov said, "Properly read, the bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived."
Thomas Paine said, " The Christian religion is an outrage of common sense."
Does how I should act change if God was or was not the Creator?
Do devoutly religious persons have a different moral code than athiests?
My neighbors are Hispanic, Black, Indian, and Caucasian. Which group should I treat differently and what type of different treatment should I give them because God did/did not create the universe?
You are absolutely right. We are here on earth and that's our reality. All we really have is knowledge and how we treat each other. I think of this all the time. Your claimed religion does not matter at all. Just treat people nice and the way you want to be treated and you will be fine.
"Technically if space is infinite; it also makes each quark, atom, and human the center of it all."
Space is not infinite.
"God's son died for our sins (our own free will), and rose on the thrid day, successfully breaking the chains and certainty of eternal seperation from He who loves us more than we could EVER understand."
And you know this how?
You have to separate atoms, quarks, gluons and everything else from the human. They were here long before humans were. Dinosaurs, viruses, microorganisms, plants, bacteria, and even bricks. That's the basic structure of everything on this world. And they will always be here.
I'm really tired right now, and I think I misread your first sentence or something, not really sure. Just to clarify, I know space is infinite..
the love of God is the greatest single fact in the universe, which passes all knowledge..
"..and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
(Ephesians 3:19)
I think it is hilarious how much we debate the topic of the creation of the universe and other dimensions, etc. We will never know the true answer because we were not here. Unless we figure out a way to manually construct a universe ourselves, identical to our own! We can have all kinds of theories, but the answer will forever elude us. But it is fun to watch the crap slinging and people trying to flaunt faith/intelligence.
thank you for bringing this up, none of us know for sure what is going to happen once we die, because the single fact that we die. This is one reason why many Christians, or religious people do believe, uncertainty
According #1 on this list you are correct.."events in the past that were not directly observed did not happen in a definite way."
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