Physics & Reality

ReferenceA Logical Approach to Theoretical Physics

Our reality is determined by what we sense. We have five primary senses that we call physical and a mental sense that gives meaning to the physical senses. Logic and mathematics are part of the mental sense. The coordination among these six senses, such that there are no inconsistencies, determines the most optimum reality. See Objective & Subjective Reality.

To improve reality from a scientific perspective, we must locate inconsistencies in our scientific theories and resolve them.


Classical versus Quantum Reality

Currently, we have inconsistency between classical and quantum realities. There is a sudden discontinuity of reality from classical to quantum.

The starting concept in classical physics is SUBSTANCE. All other concepts are derived from the idea of substance. For example, kinetic energy is the motion of substance; potential energy is the tension of substance; momentum is the impact of substance.

The primary characteristic of this substance is mass. We can detect mass through our physical senses as “force”. This forms the basis of our classical reality. The concept of substance, however, stops at the idea of atom, which is considered to be indivisible.

The starting concept in quantum physics is the LIGHT QUANTUM. All other concepts seem to be borrowed from classical physics but presented as an extension of the idea of quantum. For example, quantum is defined as an “energy particle”, with no substance (mass). This jars our classical sensibilities. How can there be kinetic energy without any substance in motion? Or, how can there be potential energy without any substance in tension?

When we dig further, we find that, in quantum physics, the concept of substance is replaced by a Standard Model of Elementary Particles. But these particles do not have the classical characteristic of mass and volume. Instead, those characteristics are replaced by all manner of quantum numbers.

In Quantum physics, the reality of mass and volume of substance, is replaced by quantum numbers that can be sensed mentally (mathematically) only.

In other words, we no longer have our physical senses participating in the determination of quantum reality. This is the inconsistency that we are confronted with in physics today.


Resolving the Inconsistency

Our ideas of physical phenomena are based on our interactions with it. These interactions are perceived as FORCE by our physical and mental senses. These forces are interpreted as substance (mass) at the most basic level. This forms the basis of the classical reality.

If matter is substance then light is no less a substance, because both interact with our senses the same way. Newton’s corpuscular theory treated light as a substance that flowed very rapidly. Matter, being a substance, obviously had mass. Light was also a substance, but of ephemeral type, that had infinitesimal mass.

Quantum physics, on the other hand, drops the concept of substance (mass) beyond the idea of atom. Instead of mass, it employs a mathematical principle of “mass-energy equivalence” to define quantum as an “energy particle”.  Thus, quantum reality builds itself up on the basis of energy that consists of a mathematical interpretation of the physical forces of interactions that we sense. Light, therefore, is considered to have no mass.

The basis of classical reality is the interpretation of forces that interact with our senses as substance (mass). The basis of quantum reality is the interpretation of the same forces as a mathematical formulation of “energy”.

It may be possible to resolve the inconsistency in reality by relating this mathematical formulation of “energy” back to the concept of substance (mass).


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