Have Australian Physicists Have Proved Time Travel is Possible?
Scientists from the University of Queensland have used photons (single particles of light) to simulate quantum particles traveling through time. The research is cutting edge and the results could be dramatic!
Their research, entitled “Experimental simulation of closed time-like curves”, is published in the latest issue of Nature Communications.
The grandfather paradox states that if a time traveler were to go back in time, he could accidentally prevent his grandparents from meeting, and thus prevent his own birth.
However, if he had never been born, he could never have traveled back in time, in the first place.
The paradoxes are largely caused by Einstein’s theory of relativity, and the solution to it, the Gödel metric. How relativity works Einstein’s theory of relativity is made up of two parts – general relativity and special relativity.
Special relativity posits that space and time are aspects of the same thing, known as the space-time continuum, and that time can slow down or speed up, depending on how fast you are moving, relative to something else.
Gravity can also bend time, and Einstein’s theory of general relativity suggests that it would be possible to travel backwards in time by following a space-time path, i.e. a closed time-line curve that returns to the starting point in space, but arrives at an earlier time.
It was predicted in 1991 that quantum mechanics could avoid some of the paradoxes caused by Einstein’s theory of relativity, as quantum particles behave almost outside the realm of physics.
“The question of time travel features at the interface between two of our most successful yet incompatible physical theories – Einstein’s general relativity and quantum mechanics.
Einstein’s theory describes the world at the very large scale of stars and galaxies, while quantum mechanics is an excellent description of the world at the very small scale of atoms and molecules.” said Martin Ringbauer, a PhD student at UQ’s School of Mathematics and Physics and a lead author of the paper.
The scientists simulated the behavior of two photons interacting with each other in two different cases. In the first case, one photon passed through a wormhole and then interacted with its older self. In the second case, when a photon travels through normal space-time and interacts with another photon trapped inside a closed time-line curve forever.
“The properties of quantum particles are ‘fuzzy’ or uncertain to start with, so this gives them enough wiggle room to avoid inconsistent time travel situations,” said co-author Professor Timothy Ralph. “Our study provides insights into where and how nature might behave differently from what our theories predict.”
Although it has been possible to simulate time travel with tiny quantum particles, the same might not be possible for larger particles or atoms, which are groups of particles.
See more here physics-astronomy.com
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Header image: National Geographic
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Ken Hughes
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The answer is, “No”.
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Herb Rose
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Scientist confuse beliefs with knowledge. Just because you believe something doesn’t make it true and using your assumptions of validity as premises for proving your beliefs in no way validates them. The problem for scientists and all people is that even when their beliefs are shown to be wrong they continue to believe that the results of those mistaken beliefs are still valid. The red and blue shift of light from distant stars proves Einstein’s relativity is wrong. If the shift is due to the movement of the star then relativity is invalid. If the shift is due to a change during transmission then relativity is wrong because there is no time at the speed of light.Either way you can’t continue to believe in quantum mechanics and time travel. It is amazing that scientists will estimate the mass of binary asteroids because if they use Newton’s equation the results are obviously wrong but still maintain that the masses of the planets are still correct when they were established using this discredited formula. The gas giants are made of solid rock.
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PhD
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Herb, it’s well known that you reject Einstein’s work on Relativity…. just calling it false does not make it so. There have been many detailed complex tests of General Relativity….. it has passed all of them.
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Seriously
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You missed the point…and it wouldn’t be ‘theory’ if it were proven absolute…open yout mind
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Herb Rose
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Hi PhD,
The trouble with the tests is that they begin with the assumption that what they are testing for exists and will take anything that supports that belief as proof.
As an example I would cite the atomic clocks of satellites that go put of sync. This is claimed to be proof of general relativity and confirming Einstein’s theory when the data actually refutes Einstein’s theory. According to Einstein both an increase in velocity and a stronger gravitational field will cause time to expand and clocks to go slower. If this were true the satellites in lower orbits, with their greater speed and in a stronger gravitational fields, would run slower than the clocks at greater altitudes, with the speed of clocks increasing with increasing altitude. This is not what the data shows. Initially the speed of the clocks increase with increasing altitude but then begin to slow producing a parabolic curve instead of a continually increasing curve. The justification for this deviation is that gravity and velocity are producing opposite effects which is opposite to what Einstein said. Anyone who considers these results as proof of Einstein’s validity has a very low standard for what constitutes proof.
I would ask you to explain the red and blue shifts. There is no disputing the data but if this change is caused by the movement of the source of light then relativity is wrong (train thought experiment). If it is caused by the transmission of the light then light does not travel at the speed of light and time and change can occur.
Herb
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PhD
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Silly stuff that passes for physics !! Einstein’s theory of Relativity is misunderstood by most physicists.
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Seriously
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Dogma…persists and prefades over most minds. I see you are no exception, phd.
There is no end to human arrogance, especially when confronted with conflict to held belief.
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ant
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just did it … travelled from one day to the next… easy.
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T. C. Clark
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Antone who proves Einstein wrong would be recognized and likely rewarded …..but gibberish is not any proof. Red and blue light shift are recognized in the stars orbiting the black hole at the center of the Milky Way due to gravity of the black hole and red shift of stars moving away from earth is recognized due to the speed of the stars. I think that a 6 year old would understand that the GPS satellites are not corrected for nothing but rather due to time dilation.
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Herg Rose
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Thank you T.C. for demonstrating what a Wikipidiot is. Someone who looks up someone else’s answer and repeats it. Since they have no ability to think, they have no idea what any of it means and have the comprehension of a parrot. Give yourself a cracker.
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T. C. Clark
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Herg, is your full time occupation wasting people’s time?
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Kevin Doyle
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Einstein batted 50%.
‘General Relativity’ is accepted and largely demonstrable.
‘Special Relativity’ is entirely theoretical. Land of Magic Mushrooms. However, if it helped Einstein get published by dopy journalists, then good for him!
However, bad for real science.
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Frank S.
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The key to time travel is the photon.
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Kevin Doyle
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I can’t believe I fell for this joke!
‘Australian Physicists’ pretend to find something new by letting one race horse run, while keeping the other in a cage for several minutes.
Surprise result! The one kept in a cage ran slower than the one given a head start!
Typical Aussie con artists and thieves…
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lloyd
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Ah yes, so-called scientific minds quickly start insulting each other. The Scientific Method means questioning something is not a bad thing. Bashing Australians, and calling people parrots or Wikiidiots just shows many so-called intellectuals have the maturity of a four-year-old. Sad.
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T. C. Clark
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Actual real time travel would mean every atom…every molecule must be in place as it was in the past? If a person wanted to travel back and meet….George Washington….it is possible that a molecule of water in George’s body is now in your body so no way matter can be in two places at the same time. Radioactive materials age by emitting radiation and particles – how would radiation go back in time? Matter that became energy would have to return to matter.
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T. C. Clark
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Time travel would mean decreasing entropy?……that is a BIG No No….no?
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