Quantum Physics 123: Monday 19 September

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[comes in smiling, sets a sign on his desk that says 'Yarr.']

Hello class. Your homework from last class is due Right Now, so please pass it to the front. I already have work from Mr Baltar, Ms Hovalis, Ms Domino, and Lady Jessica. Thank you for getting it to me promptly. The rest of you have had five days to complete the assignment--I daresay that's enough time.
((OOC: Comment in the linked post with your homework by 12 AM EST, please.))

This class we are going to discuss Schroedinger's Cat, a famous theory that will hopefully help you understand the fluidity that is quantum physics. A cat (that is merely theoretical, do not call the RSPCA) is placed in a box. Attached to the box is a control containing a radioactive atom and poison gas. The atom has a 50% chance to decay in one hour. If that happens, the gas will be triggered and the cat will die.
However, in quantum physics, once the cat is placed in the box, where no one can observe it, some say the cat exists in a state of neither being dead nor alive--for our purposes, we'll use the term notalive. Only when the box is opened is the cat in one state or another. This common belief is called the Copenhagen interpretation.

Or take the Zen koan: 'If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?' The Copenhagen interpretation says that it would make a notsound.

Some forms of time travel therefore are based off the idea that once a person is unobserved, the person notexists, and therefore is in a quantum state--able to exist again at any observable point. Discuss these topics (NOT THE CRUELTY TO THE CAT, and yes, you will be graded on participation). No homework for Wednesday.

Comments

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

So... the key to time travel is not having anyone see you? ::confused::

::looks around for Domino and Sparky::

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

I guess so. So... we could time travel if we built a box?

Possibly with poison gas in it?

Gas chambers as time travel devices. There's an unpleasant thought.

Man. You'd think this would be easier. Probability is my thing...

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

And what's the probability on gas chambers actually working as time machines?

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Am I the one testing it?

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

How about someone.... like... Parker. If we put Parker in a gas chamber, and then all close our eyes, what's the probability she'll travel in time?

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

::butts in::

Given the gaseous non-state of certain particles in the universe and Parker's tendency to explode at the smallest thing, I posit the theory that she would, in fact, dissipate into the upper atmosphere. But her sunglasses would travel to france.

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

Whoa. Can I get an English translation for that?

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Seconded, Sparky. The only part of that I understood was "explode".

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

Parker won't travel in time if we put her in a gas chamber. ::looks smug::

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

Hey, Cally. He's looking smug. Should we drag him into town and beat him up? ;)

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

No beating up. Please. ::sighs and tries to look less smug and more geeky::

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

Awww. You're so cute. *pats*

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

::cute and confused look, then clears his throat:: So, anyway, what I think he's saying is... ::long, technical explanation that he stops halfway through due to glazed looks and amends to, simply:: Time travel happens.

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

*starts laughing, can't help it*

Hey! I bet that's what happens to socks!

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

::wrinkles his nose:: Cameron's socks are a gas chamber in their own right.

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

*snickers* Put them in a box?

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

No, no, no. We have to copy his notes before we beat him up, otherwise we'll never get them. ::grins, and pats Sparky on the shoulder::

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

No, we just tie him to a tree and take the notes. But he's looking kinda cute and pathetic there so maybe we should be nice.

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Awww, I guess he is. Well, we should forgive him, then. This time. ::giggle::

[littleluck.livejournal.com]

Probably about equal to the probability of us escaping detention for putting Parker in a gas chamber, is my guess.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[lets you run with it, even though you're completely and utterly off kilter, will step in later]

[lady-jessica-bg.livejournal.com]

(ooc: OMGPIRATENERD!!!! Ahoy, avast, and happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day XD)

Interesting theory. That would certainly twist reality...and the head.

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

Grateful to find his second class in the appropirate place, Gaeta walks in and sits next to Cally and Domino.

[ooc. dude. Icon pattern recognition failed me!]

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

::also hands in homework, which is exactly 100 words with annotations and notes about further thought that could be applied this theory::

[I would like to note that the misspelling was not deliberate. BUT HAH.]

[sparkplugfelix.livejournal.com]

::also fails at reading comprehension and goes to bed::