The quantum field theory on which the everyday world supervenes

Jamie Hamilton designed and created the Echo Chamber at the Santa Fe Institute. Credit: Michael Clark.

The laws of physics underlying everyday life can be summarized in a single elegant equation. That's the claim physicist Sean Carroll made in a recent paper.

atoms and molecule are the building blocks of objects in our world. atom and molecule are made of particles that are 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- 888-609- The particles and forces are described by the principles of quantum field theory in the model known as the "Core Theory." Core Theory can explain the warmth of sunlight, the Earth's pull, and the energy needed to move our bodies through space.

Physicists will soon be out of their jobs, but don't worry. The Theory of Everything isn't in our hands yet. We will discover new particles and new forces that are completely outside of our current understanding of physics. If we push beyond our ordinary world into black holes and other aspects of quantum gravity, there are indications that quantum field theory might not be the right framework to describe them. It may not be enough to explain the conditions in the early universe, or the phenomena of dark matter and dark energy that don't interact with humans.

The everyday world has a quantum field theory. Credit: Santa Fe Institute

The everyday world has a quantum field theory. Credit: Santa Fe Institute

The paper "The Quantum Field Theory on Which the Everyday World Supervenes" has Equation 7. Credit: Santa Fe Institute.

No discoveries needed to explain such phenomena will change our understanding of the physics that affects our everyday lives, according to the argument made by Carroll.

It has a number of immediate implications if the claim is correct. It means there is no life after death as the information in a person's mind is stored in their body and there is no way to carry it away. The underlying theory of consciousness needs to be answered in terms of processes that are compatible with it. Core Theory means that discoveries of new particles and forces won't have the same impact on our lives as they have in the past.

It would be almost impossible for him to give an exact proof. The challenge faced by those who think something beyond the Core Theory is highlighted by his arguments. The dynamics summarized by the equation of the Core Theory are well-defined, quantitative, and unyielding, not to mention tested to exquisite precision in a wide variety of contexts. Skeptics of the claim have to specify how the equation is to be changed. A host of tricky issues would be raised by this.

The Quantum Field Theory on Which the Everyday World Supervenes was written by Sean M. Carroll.

The quantum field theory on which the everyday world supervenes was retrieved on January 17th, 2022.

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