Quantum physics requires imaginary numbers to explain reality
Theories based only on real numbers fail to explain the results of two new experiments
By Emily Conover, 20 HOURS AGO
-----
Imaginary numbers might seem like unicorns and goblins — interesting but irrelevant to reality.
But for describing matter at its roots, imaginary numbers turn out to be essential.
They seem to be woven into the fabric of quantum mechanics, the math describing
the realm of molecules, atoms and subatomic particles. A theory obeying the rules
of quantum physics needs imaginary numbers to describe the real world,
two new experiments suggest.
Quantum theory’s prominent use of complex numbers — sums of imaginary and real numbers —
was disconcerting to its founders, including physicist Erwin Schrödinger. “From the early days
of quantum theory, complex numbers were treated more as a mathematical convenience
than a fundamental building block,” says physicist Jingyun Fan of the Southern University
of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China.
-------
Theories based only on real numbers fail to explain the results of two new experiments
By Emily Conover, 20 HOURS AGO
-----
Imaginary numbers might seem like unicorns and goblins — interesting but irrelevant to reality.
But for describing matter at its roots, imaginary numbers turn out to be essential.
They seem to be woven into the fabric of quantum mechanics, the math describing
the realm of molecules, atoms and subatomic particles. A theory obeying the rules
of quantum physics needs imaginary numbers to describe the real world,
two new experiments suggest.
Quantum theory’s prominent use of complex numbers — sums of imaginary and real numbers —
was disconcerting to its founders, including physicist Erwin Schrödinger. “From the early days
of quantum theory, complex numbers were treated more as a mathematical convenience
than a fundamental building block,” says physicist Jingyun Fan of the Southern University
of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China.
-------
Quantum physics requires imaginary numbers to explain reality
Quantum theory based only on real numbers fails to explain the results of two new experiments.
www.sciencenews.org