Open issues in physics in 2000PredictionsEnjoying physicsManuscriptsTalk slides
If you enjoy playing with ideas and then checking them against the real world, you might like the following.
 SIXTH VOLUME: A SPECULATION ON UNIFICATION (9MB) Includes predictions on masses, mixing angles and coupling constants. Requires Adobe Reader 8, allows adding comments in Adobe Reader. |
||
| 1 | From millennium physics to unification | 17 |
| 2 | Physics in limit statements | 22 |
| 3 | General relativity versus quantum theory | 48 |
| 4 | Does matter differ from vacuum? | 54 |
| 5 | What is the difference between the universe and nothing? | 76 |
| 6 | The physics of love - an intermediate report | 99 |
| 7 | The shape of points - extension in nature | 109 |
| 8 | The basis of the strand model | 140 |
| 9 | Quantum theory of matter deduced from strands | 155 |
| 10 | Gauge interactions deduced from strands | 194 |
| 11 | General relativity deduced from strands | 233 |
| 12 | Particles and their properties deduced from strands | 257 |
| 13 | The top of the mountain | 303 |
This page presents an approach to unification with a simple basis but
intriguing implications. The model is based on featureless strands
and sums up textbook physics in a single postulate: events and Planck
units are crossing switches of strands. Surprisingly, this postulate
allows to deduce Dirac's equation (from the belt trick), the
principles of thermodynamics, and Einstein's field equations (from the
thermodynamics of strands). They all follow
as low-energy approximations of processes at the
Planck scale. In particular, strands explain the entropy of black holes.
As a further surprise, in the same approximation, the postulate yields the three gauge groups and the Lagrangians of quantum electrodynamics, of the weak and of the strong interaction as a consequence of the three Reidemeister moves. The strand model does not permit any further interaction, gauge group or symmetry group.
As a final surprise, the postulate predicts three fermion generations and that no unknown elementary particles exist in nature. The strand model thus predicts that the standard model, with slight corrections for longitudinal W and Z boson scattering, is the final description of particle physics.
A natural method for the calculation of coupling constants, particle masses and mixing angles appears. Mass sequences, some mass ratios and the weak mixing angle are predicted correctly. For manuscripts and talk slides, see below.
The strand model seems to satisfy all the requirements for a unified description of nature. In particular, the strand model is based on Planck units, uses neither continuity nor discreteness as fundamental concepts, and does not assume that points or sets exist at Planck scales. The model has no free parameters, seems to be unique, seems to be unmodifiable, and works in three spatial dimensions. However, dimensionality is not a parameter, but a result of the model. The strand model also fulfils a famous wish: it fits on a T-shirt.
Discussions are possible on the fun discussion wiki.
Open issues in fundamental physics in the year 2000: the millennium list
This is the full list of questions that were unsolved in fundamental physics in the year 2000, the so-called millennium list of open issues. A unified description of nature must solve all these questions. The internet and the research literature propose many such lists; they are all contained in this one.
| OBSERVABLE | PROPERTY UNEXPLAINED IN THE YEAR 2000 |
| α | 1/137.0359991(1), the low energy value of the electromagnetic coupling constant |
| αw | the low energy value of the weak coupling constant |
| αs | the value of the strong coupling constant at one specific energy value |
| mq | the values of the 6 quark masses |
| ml | the values of 6 lepton masses |
| mW | the value of the mass of the W vector boson |
| mH | the value of the mass of the scalar Higgs boson |
| θw | the value of the weak mixing angle |
| θ12, θ13, θ23 | the value of the three quark mixing angles |
| δ | the value of the CP violating phase for quarks |
| θ'12, θ'13, θ'23 | the value of the three neutrino mixing angles |
| δ', α1, α2 | the value of the three CP violating phases for neutrinos |
| 3 x 4 | the number of fermion generations and of particles in each generation |
| J, P, C, etc. | the origin of all quantum numbers of each fermion and each boson |
| c, ħ, k | the origin of the invariant Planck units of quantum field theory |
| 3+1 | the number of dimensions of physical space and time |
| SO(3,1) | the origin of Lorentz and Poincaré symmetry (i.e., of spin, position, energy, momentum) |
| S(n) | the origin of particle identity, i.e., of permutation symmetry |
| U(1) | the origin of the electromagnetic gauge group (i.e., of the quantization of electric charge, as well as the vanishing of magnetic charge) |
| SU(2) | the origin of weak interaction gauge group and its breaking |
| SU(3) | the origin of strong interaction gauge group |
| Ren. group | the origin of renormalization properties |
| δW = 0 | the origin of wave functions and of the least action principle in quantum theory |
| W = ∫LSM dt | the origin of the Lagrangian of the standard model of particle physics |
| 0 | the observed flatness, i.e., vanishing curvature, of the universe |
| 1.2 ⋅ 1026 m | the distance of the horizon, i.e., the ‘size’ of the universe |
| ρde = Λc4/(8πG) ≈ 0.5 nJ/m3 | the value and nature of the observed vacuum energy density, dark energy or cosmological constant |
| (5 ± 4) x 1079 | the number of baryons in the universe, i.e., the average visible matter density in the universe |
| f0(1, ..., c. 1090) | the initial conditions for c. 1090 particle fields in the universe (if or as long as they make sense), including the homogeneity and isotropy of matter distribution, and the density fluctuations at the origin of galaxies |
| ρdm | the density and nature of dark matter |
| c, G | the origin of the invariant Planck units of general relativity |
| δ∫LGR dt | the origin of curvature, of the least action principle and of the Lagrangian of general relativity |
| R × S3 | the observed topology of the universe |
As shown in the sixth volume of the Motion Mountain text, the strand model proposes an answer to each of these open issues. Each answer follows unambiguously from the single, basic postulate that strand crossing switches define the Planck units.
Some predictions of the strand model (with their timing), made before conclusive experiments (at the LHC, on neutrinos, on electric dipole moments, about QCD, on dark matter searches, and in astrophysics):
Enjoying physics
Unification on a T-shirt? Yes. Therefore, the text is for all those who enjoy physics and nature. The text is not for those who mix physics with ideology. What group do you belong to? The test is simple: if you enjoy physics and nature, the text will make you curious; if you are a prisoner of ideology, the text will make you angry.
Scientists have odious manners, except when you prop up their theory; then you can borrow money off them.
Mark Twain
Manuscripts
Abstract: Classical electrodynamics - including Coulomb's law, interference, relativistic invariance and the full Maxwell's equations - is deduced from a simple model based on featureless extended entities. Quantum effects are described as results of the extension of the fundamental entities. The model describes the photon, including its spin and its quantum behaviour. The model also works in curved space-time; it reproduces the known results for high curvature, such as black-hole radiation and the Fulling-Davies-Unruh effect. Maximum values for electric and magnetic fields in nature are predicted, and the power limit for light and energy sources is confirmed. A new type of underlying symmetry is predicted.
Abstract: Einstein's field equations are deduced from a model of space-time based on featureless extended entities. Curvature is built from defects in space-time. In addition, extended entities yield a model for matter, for horizons and for the graviton, including its spin value. The model reproduces all known quantum-gravity effects, all black-hole properties - including a logarithmic correction to the black-hole entropy and a clarification of the Barbero-Immirzi parameter - and holography. The model predicts a minimum length, a maximum curvature, the absence of singularities, the generalized uncertainty principle, and the absence of effects of doubly special relativity.
The extended-entity model also yields a new approach to cosmology, predicts the existence of a cosmic horizon, and proposes an alternative to inflation and modified Newtonian dynamics. The predicted values of the present particle density and of the present cosmological constant agree with experiments. The cosmological constant is predicted to decrease with time. The model provides a natural explanation of dark energy. The acceleration value at which rotation curves in galaxies deviate from the inverse-square law is predicted to vary with distance. A minimum momentum, a minimum force, a minimum electric and magnetic field and a minimum power are predicted to exist in nature. The fluctuations of the cosmic background radiation are expected to be scale-invariant.
Abstract: It is argued that Schrödinger's and Dirac's equations can be deduced from a topological model of matter and photons based on featureless extended entities. The wave function, spin and quantum phase have intuitive descriptions. The probabilities appearing in quantum measurements are compatible with the Kochen-Specker theorem and do not rely on non-contextual hidden variables. The model reproduces Heisenberg's indeterminacy relations and the Hilbert space structure, provides a topological explanation for entanglement, provides general models for matter, antimatter, and real and virtual particles, and explains electric charge quantization and minimal coupling. The Weinberg-Witten theorem is satisfied. The model provides a basis for stochastic quantization, for the entwined-paths model, and for Zitterbewegung. At high energies, the model predicts the lack of higher dimensions, a minimum intrinsic electric dipole moment, the absence of divergences, and maximal values for electric and magnetic fields. The fine-structure constant, including its energy dependence, is calculable; first crudely calculated bounds contain the experimental value.
We give one of the first known arguments for the origin of the three observed gauge groups. The
argument is based on modelling nature at Planck scales as a collection of featureless strands that
fluctuate in three dimensions. This approach models vacuum as untangled strands, particles as
tangles of strands, and Planck units as crossing switches.
Modelling vacuum as untangled strands implies the field equations of general relativity, when
applying an argument from 1995 to the thermodynamics of strands. Modelling fermions as tangles
of two or more strands allows to define wave functions as time-averages of strand crossings; using
an argument from 1980, this allows to deduce the Dirac equation.
When modelling fermions as tangled strands, gauge interactions appear naturally as deformation
of tangle cores. The three possible types of observable core deformations are given by the
three Reidemeister moves. They naturally lead to a U(1), a broken and parity-violating SU(2),
and a SU(3) gauge group. The corresponding Lagrangians also appear naturally.
The model is unique, is unmodifiable, is consistent with all known data, and makes numerous
testable predictions, including the absence of other interactions, of grand unification and of higher
dimensions. A method for calculating coupling constants seems to appear naturally.
The properties and the numbers of elementary particles are deduced from
the strand model. The strand model for quarks reproduces all their known
properties, as well as those of hadrons; the strand model
for leptons reproduces all their known properties.
It is shown that the strand model allows
only three generations of leptons and only three generations of quarks.
The strand model implies the lack of Higgs bosons, additional gauge bosons,
gluons, axions, majorons, superpartners and other hypothetical particles.
Rough estimates for masses, mixing angles and coupling constants are
given, and methods to calculate them are proposed.
Talk slides
Slides of a talk summarizing the manuscripts 1, 2, 3, including the experimental predictions of the model. In addition, the first seven slides present the foundations of the model.
Slides of a talk on the way to deduce the structure of the vacuum, special relativity, general relativity and cosmology from extended entities. Einstein's field equations and black hole entropy are derived. The slides summarize manuscript 2.
Talk C.
Quantum mechanics, entanglement and QED
deduced from
strands (C. Schiller, July 2008)
Slides of a talk on manuscript 3. It also includes the way to model quantum entanglement of photons and matter particles as strand entanglement. Among others, methods to calculate masses of charged elementary fermions are presented.