Journalism in the Americas: Steven Weinberg’s Test of Quantum Mechanics Might Soon Be Realized
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mark A. Novotny, a Mississippi State University William L. Giles Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, will explore the complex world of quantum mechanics and its rapidly ...
Quantum, often called quantum mechanics, deals with the granular and fuzzy nature of the universe and the physical behavior of its smallest particles. The idea of physical granularity is like your TV image.
So, what is quantum? In a more general sense, the word “ quantum” can refer to the smallest possible amount of something. The field of quantum mechanics deals with the most fundamental bits of matter, energy and light and the ways they interact with each other to make up the world.
Quantum mechanics is the field of physics that explains how extremely small objects simultaneously have the characteristics of both particles (tiny pieces of matter) and waves (a disturbance or variation that transfers energy). Physicists call this the “wave-particle duality.”
Steven Weinberg, one of the greatest theoretical physicists of all time, passed away on 23 July, aged 88. He revolutionised particle physics, quantum field theory and cosmology with conceptual breakthroughs which still form the foundation of our understanding of physical reality.
Theoretical physics lost one of its most brilliant, thoughtful, influential and durable practitioners when Steven Weinberg died in July at the age of 88. Steve came to MIT in 1969 after ten very productive years at Berkeley that established him as one of the world’s leading quantum field theorists.
Two main modern developments in mechanics are general relativity of Einstein, and quantum mechanics, both developed in the 20th century based in part on earlier 19th-century ideas.