Currently the biggest open problem in physics is that there is a conflict between Einstein’s General theory of relativity and quantum physics. These two theories just do not talk to each other.
The problem arises when we look at space-time at small scales. According to General Relativity (GR), space-time is totally smooth. But, Quantum Mechanics ensures that space can never be smooth at small scales. Physicists hate this.
The whole goal of physics to to be provide a description of the world. But now they have two contradictory descriptions of the world.
Many physicists are working on this problem as we speak. Recently, we discovered an awesome scientific paper from a researcher named M. E. McCulloch. Dr McCulloch is a lecturer in Geomatics at Plymouth University, UK. In his paper, Dr McCulloch has shown that Newton’s gravity law can be derived from Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Now, this is pretty amazing.
The paper is just 2 pages long and any high school student can understand this. Lets see how it works.
We can understand this intuitively as well. According to the uncertainity principle, if uncertainity in position decreases, the uncertainity in momentum increases. Now, if the radius of orbit decreases, the uncertainity in position decreases. Therefore, momentum (or force) must increase. By summing up the uncertainities over all the plank masses, we arrive at the law of gravity. The derivation also obtains correct value for the gravitational constant G.
Of course, Newton’s theory of gravity has been superceded by Einstein’s GTR. However, Newton’s formula works for small, slow moving objects.
Dr. McCulloch is now working on resolving the discrepancy between GTR and quantum theory. Do check out his other papers on his website.
