Thread: The behavior of particles

Hello everyone!

I have been until recently away from this beloved DV community for some time. I've returned a very changed person, and I am now ready to participate in the scientific pursuit of knowledge. I am in this, and in many other ways, new to this concept. I vow to approach everything with a mindset of "perhaps" instead of a mindset of "this is certain." With that, I beg the patience and forgiveness of those who actually know what they are talking about. I come to you only with ideas, and "what ifs" and I don't intend for them to seem in any way "certain."

I have spent quite some time delving into theoretical physics and quantum mechanics. I am... horrid at calculus, and thus I fear that I am incapable of exploring further the areas of science which so fascinate me. I hope that those of you who are learned and experienced in these subjects can share your knowledge with me, and new learners like me!

I have recently been pondering the behavior of particles. To get straight to it, as most of you are probably aware, generally speaking, particles often behave differently than we expect them to on the quantum level. Electrons forming interference patterns in the double-slit experiment, yada yada yada. We have also seen that the mere observation of the behavior of particles seems to always interfere with the behavior of the particles! Upon observing the otherwise seemingly unpredictable particle behavior, they appear to behave how they would expect them to- in accordance with laws of classical physics (on the macroscopic level.)

I wonder then, like many others have probably wondered- does the observed behavior of particles change to fit laws of classical physics because that behavior is actually what should be happening, or would that behavior reflect our expectations even if those expectations were not consistent with classical physics?


To simplify, if we once again perform the double-slit experiment, but we [somehow] force ourselves to expect something which is otherwise scientifically impossible, would the particles behave in that way?

I hope my question is clear. Basically, does the particle's behavior change to be consistent with macroscopic physics because we expect it to, or because macroscopic physics is actually universally true, even on a quantum level? I am leaning towards the former- the particles behavior changes to fit what we expect to see. SO- if we were able to convince ourselves to expect a completely impossible third outcome.... would the particle behave in that way?


I hope I am making sense. Thanks for reading.

Rainman


ADDENDUM- if particle behavior is impacted by observation, why were we able observe electrons making quantum leaps before we knew that such a thing were possible? All of quantum physics seem to indicate what would be perceived as impossibilities on the macroscopic level is actually possible. They seem to happen regardless of the presence of a conscious observer. Does this invalidate the findings (or lack thereof) of the double-slit experiment?