Electrons can exist in parallel states, Michio Kaku

Why can't the universe?

The foundation of quantum theory lies in the notion that there exists a probability for all conceivable events, no matter how fantastical or absurd, to potentially occur. Michio Kaku: This concept is integral to the inflationary universe theory, suggesting that during the original big bang, a quantum transition led to a state where the universe underwent rapid inflation. The entire cosmos may have originated from an improbable quantum leap. While Douglas Adams humorously contemplated the magical implications of controlling these probabilities, the technology to manipulate event probabilities remains beyond our current capabilities.

In discussions with university students, I often pose simpler questions, such as calculating the probability of spontaneously dissolving and rematerializing on the other side of a brick wall. According to quantum theory, there is a small yet calculable probability for such occurrences. Similarly, the theory allows for the possibility of dissolving in a living room and reappearing on Mars. Despite these probabilities being exceedingly small in our everyday context, they play a crucial role in the functioning of electronics, computers, and lasers.

Quantum superposition: the photon is on both paths

Electrons routinely exhibit dematerialization and rematerialization within the components of devices like PCs. The stability of molecules, including those in our bodies, relies on the ability of electrons to exist in multiple places simultaneously, forming an electron "cloud" that binds atoms together. This principle prevents atoms from disintegrating upon collision, maintaining stability in both molecules and the universe.

United States under German, Japanese control

Considering that electrons can exist in parallel states between existence and nonexistence, the question arises: Why couldn't the universe exhibit similar behavior? As the universe was once smaller than an electron, applying the quantum principle to the cosmos leads us to contemplate the existence of parallel universes.

Philip K. Dick's science fantasy tale, "The Man in the High Castle," explores precisely this concept. In the narrative, an alternate universe diverges due to a single pivotal event President Roosevelt's assassination in 1933.

This alters world history, leading to a divided United States under German and Japanese control. In this parallel universe, a banned book titled "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy" envisions an alternate reality where democracy and freedom triumph over tyranny and racism. The story's heroine embarks on a mission to explore the truth behind this alternate universe.

The realms depicted in "The Man in the High Castle" and our own world hang in delicate balance, separated by the minutest twists of fate a lone assassin's bullet or, perhaps, a singular quantum occurrence like the impact of a cosmic ray.

The Twilight Zone

In an episode of "The Twilight Zone," a man awakens to a surreal reality where his wife, friends, and family no longer recognize him, as if he never existed. This disconcerting tale prompts contemplation on the potential consequences of a seemingly inconspicuous event, such as a quantum level incident, reshaping the fabric of existence.

Consider the protagonist's journey in "The Twilight Zone": had he delved into his mother's past, he might have uncovered a miscarriage caused by a cosmic ray striking the embryo's DNA, leading to a mutation and eventual nonexistence. In this scenario, a singular quantum event becomes the bifurcation point between two worlds one where he lives a normal life and another identical, save for his absence.

Although the physics of slipping between these worlds aligns with the laws of physics, the probability remains astronomically minute. Yet, quantum theory paints a universe stranger than Einstein's relativity.

With the exception of Einstein and Bohr, no individual has grappled more intensely with the paradoxes and triumphs of quantum theory than John Archibald Wheeler

Occupy two places simultaneously

While relativity envisions life's stage as a flexible structure with actors following predetermined scripts, quantum physics introduces a paradigm where the actors discard the script, asserting their free will. Strings are cut, and the actors may vanish and reappear at will. Strikingly, they might even occupy two places simultaneously. In this quantum play, the actors, delivering lines, remain uncertain whether their interlocutors might spontaneously shift locations, adding an element of unpredictability to the unfolding drama.

With the exception of Einstein and Bohr, no individual has grappled more intensely with the paradoxes and triumphs of quantum theory than John Archibald Wheeler. Is the entirety of physical reality merely a mirage? Do parallel quantum universes truly coexist? In his contemplation of these perplexing quantum enigmas, Wheeler, when not occupied with such musings, applied these probabilities to the development of atomic and hydrogen bombs and pioneered the exploration of black holes.

Often referred to as the last of the intellectual titans or "monster minds," a term coined by his student Richard Feynman, Wheeler stands as a luminary who confronted the bewildering implications of quantum theory. Wheeler exhibited early intellectual prowess. Intrigued by the burgeoning theory of quantum mechanics, he voraciously consumed literature on the subject. As quantum luminaries like Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Erwin Schrodinger were formulating a revolutionary theory that unlocked atomic secrets, Wheeler, captivated by the unfolding developments, sought to be part of this scientific revolution.

Favorite things from the creator of this website about false Gods

The theory does not tell us how the electron moves during a leap.
It only tells us what we see when it leaps. Why?

Trajectory of quantum physics

The skepticism surrounding the existence of atoms, dismissed by followers of Ernst Mach who asserted that unseen entities likely didn't exist, had been prevalent until the breakthroughs of 1925 to 1927. Wheeler, recognizing the dearth of world class physicists in the United States, emulated J. Robert Oppenheimer and journeyed to Copenhagen to learn from Niels Bohr.

The peculiar duality of electrons, behaving as both particles and waves, had confounded physicists until quantum theorists unraveled this mystery. In 1925, Erwin Schrodinger proposed an equation describing the accompanying wave of electrons, denoted by the Greek letter psi.

This wave, offering remarkably precise predictions for atomic behavior, ignited a physics revolution. With Schrodinger's equation, physicists could delve into the inner workings of atoms, calculating electron movements, transitions, and molecular bonding with unprecedented precision. Wheeler, captivated by these developments, played a role in shaping the trajectory of quantum physics.