Latest news with #theory
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
3D Time Could Solve Physics' Biggest Problem, Says Bizarre New Study
Clocks might be far more fundamental to physics than we ever realized. A new theory suggests what we see around us – from the smallest of quantum actions to the cosmic crawl of entire galaxies – could all be literally a matter of time. Three dimensions of time, in fact. The basic idea of 3D time isn't new. But University of Alaska geophysicist Gunther Kletetschka says his mathematical framework is the first to reproduce known properties of the Universe, making it a somewhat serious contender for uniting physics under one consistent model. "Earlier 3D time proposals were primarily mathematical constructs without these concrete experimental connections," says Kletetschka. Related: "My work transforms the concept from an interesting mathematical possibility into a physically testable theory with multiple independent verification channels." Something is wrong with our current models of reality. While quantum mechanics and general relativity both explain our Universe to a degree that's uncannily accurate, each emerges from fundamentally distinct grounds – one granular and random, the other seamless and immutable. These irreconcilable starting points make it a challenge to construct a single, all-ruling theory of physics that explains gravity in the same way as it does the other three forces. Not that theorists haven't tried. Kletetschka proposes a complete rethink on the basics, pulling back the fabric of space-time itself to come up with a new bedrock to base reality on. While we use the word time to describe virtually any series of events, there's a clear contrast in scale that extends from the near-instantaneous flitting of quantum particles to the eons of cosmic growth stretching into eternity. On the cosmic end, time can be relative, distorting in relation to mass and acceleration. Up close, time is undecided, equally capable of looking to the past as it does to the future. And drifting in the middle is an existence as boringly predictable as tomorrow's sunrise. Separating these scales into their own dimensions provides us with three paths to follow, each marching to its own beat at right angles to the others. By embedding these timelines in mathematics that preserves cause and effect, it's possible to link all three dimensions in a way that could explain everything from how fundamental particles pop up in quantum fields, to why we can't experience quantum weirdness, to the expanding boundaries of the Universe itself. "These three time dimensions are the primary fabric of everything, like the canvas of a painting," says Kletetschka. "Space still exists with its three dimensions, but it's more like the paint on the canvas rather than the canvas itself." Related: Importantly, the framework precisely reproduces known masses of a number of particles, such as top quarks, muons, and electrons, and volunteers predictions for the unknown masses of neutrinos and subtle influences on the speeds of gravitational waves. That means the theory could receive support from future experiments, and potentially contribute to a more united approach to physics as a whole. "The path to unification might require fundamentally reconsidering the nature of physical reality itself," says Kletetschka. This research was published in Reports in Advances of Physical Sciences. Physicists Catch Light in 'Imaginary Time' in Scientific First Not All Uranium Can Be Used in Weapons. Here's What 'Enrichment' Means. Scientists Caught Sperm Defying One of Newton's Laws of Physics
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Time Is Three-Dimensional and Space Is Just a Side Effect, Scientist Says
A fringe new theory suggests that time is the fundamental structure of the physical universe, and space is merely a byproduct. According to Gunther Kletetschka, a geologist — not a physicist, you'll note, but more on that later — from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, time is three-dimensional and the dimensions of space are an emergent property of it, a press release from the university explains. "These three time dimensions are the primary fabric of everything, like the canvas of a painting," Kletetschka said in the blurb. "Space still exists with its three dimensions, but it's more like the paint on the canvas rather than the canvas itself." Three-dimensional time is a theory that has been proposed before, though generally in pretty inaccessible terms. Similarly to the explanation for three dimensions of space — length, width, and depth — 3D time theory claims that time can move forward in the linear progression we know, sideways between parallel possible timelines, and along each one of those as it unfolds. Yes, it's a pretty mind-blowing concept — but scientists have long theorized that time, as the fourth dimension in Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, is less intuitive than it seems in everyday reality. While other 3D time theories rely on traditional physics, Kletetschka suggests that his may help explain the many outstanding questions accepted physics still harbors. In a somewhat grandiose manner, the geologist even claims that his 3D time proposal could operate as a grand unifying theory or "theory of everything," the Holy Grail of quantum mechanics that would explain how the universe works on a sweeping level. "The path to unification might require fundamentally reconsidering the nature of physical reality itself," the scientist said. "This theory demonstrates how viewing time as three-dimensional can naturally resolve multiple physics puzzles through a single coherent mathematical framework." Obviously, there are an astonishing number of caveats to consider here. For one, Kletetschka is not a theoretical physicist — he's a geologist, and according to his university bio he also has some experience in astronomy. Extraordinary claims all call for extraordinary evidence. And the claims here are already stirring controversy: as an editor's note added to the end of the press release cautions, the scientist's theory was published in the journal Reports in Advances of Physical Sciences, a "legitimate step," but one that isn't remotely sufficient to take it out of the realm of the fringe. That journal, the note adds, is "relatively low-impact and niche, and its peer review does not match the rigorous scrutiny applied by top-tier journals." "The theory is still in the early stages of scrutiny," the note concluded, "and has not been published in leading physics journals or independently verified through experiments or peer-reviewed replication." Still, it's a fascinating concept to consider — especially because we still don't know exactly how time works, anyway. More on fringe theories: Physicists Say We Were Completely Wrong About How Gravity Works
Sustainability Times
11-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Einstein Would Lose His Mind': Scientists Uncover Ultimate Power Limit That Could Finally Fuse Relativity with Quantum Mechanics
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Researchers propose that dividing spacetime into tiny, discrete units could link general relativity and quantum mechanics . into tiny, discrete units could link and . 💡 New study suggests that gravity , a macroscopic force, might be explained using quantum theory in extreme conditions like black holes. , a macroscopic force, might be explained using in extreme conditions like black holes. 🔗 The concept of Planck power introduces an upper limit to energy release, challenging the notion of infinite energy levels. introduces an upper limit to energy release, challenging the notion of infinite energy levels. 🌌 This research could revolutionize our understanding of the universe, offering new insights and technological advancements. In recent years, the quest to unify the fundamental forces of the universe has taken a significant leap forward. Scientists are inching closer to bridging the gap between two of the most revolutionary theories in physics: general relativity and quantum mechanics. A new study suggests that by dividing spacetime into minuscule units, we might find a way to explain gravity—a macroscopic force—via the principles of quantum theory. This could potentially resolve the long-standing conundrum of how these two seemingly incompatible frameworks can coexist in extreme conditions like those found in black holes or the initial moments of the Big Bang. Energy Always Has an Upper Limit In the realm of physics, the idea that energy can be released at infinitely high levels has long posed challenges, particularly when dealing with quantum gravity. Picture a universe where space and time are not continuous but consist of minute, indivisible building blocks. This concept is akin to pixels on a digital screen or quanta in quantum mechanics, where energy and momentum are not smooth but come in discrete packets. In such a framework, objects would not move continuously but in fixed steps, and time would progress in tiny, discrete increments. These increments are so minute that they escape notice in our everyday lives. According to the principles of general relativity, gravity arises from the curvature of spacetime. If spacetime itself is fragmented, this curvature must also adhere to a quantized, step-like pattern. Moreover, if spacetime is quantized, then the energy release must have an upper limit, much like how no object can exceed the speed of light. This theoretical upper limit, known as Planck power, is unimaginably large—around 10⁵³ watts—but nonetheless finite. Wolfgang Wieland, the study's author, suggests that this concept could allow us to break down gravitational waves into their smallest quanta. 'Einstein Was Wrong': These Groundbreaking Black Hole Models Shatter Century-Old Theories with Unbelievable New Insights A Part of the Ongoing Quest Since the early 20th century, the relationship between general relativity and quantum mechanics has puzzled scientists. Initially thought to be mutually exclusive, recent research has indicated potential pathways to unite these theories, especially when examining phenomena like black holes. Previous studies have employed Einstein's field equations and entropy to explore how macroscopic phenomena such as gravity and spacetime can be described using quantum mechanics. While this current study isn't the first to attempt this unification, it is groundbreaking in its use of Planck power as a basis for exploring the connection. Despite these advancements, the theories remain largely theoretical, confined to mathematical equations and assumptions. Further research is needed to experimentally validate these ideas and potentially revolutionize our understanding of the universe. 'I Watched Time Slow Down in Orbit': This ESA Clock Is Revolutionizing the Science of Space-Time Precision The Implications of Quantized Spacetime If the concept of quantized spacetime proves accurate, it could fundamentally alter our understanding of the cosmos. This idea suggests that spacetime is not a smooth fabric but a collection of discrete units, changing the way we perceive gravity and other fundamental forces. In this model, the universe would operate much like a digital simulation, with everything broken down into its smallest components. Such a shift could have profound implications for fields ranging from cosmology to particle physics. The understanding of quantized spacetime could lead to new insights into how the universe began and how it might evolve. It could also provide a new lens through which to examine the fundamental forces that govern the cosmos. As researchers continue to explore this concept, it's possible that new technologies and methodologies will emerge, enabling us to probe deeper into the universe's mysteries. 'Earth Is Being Poisoned From Below': Microplastics Found in Earthworms Threaten Crops, Food Chains, and Human Survival Future Directions in Unified Physics The pursuit of a unified theory that encapsulates both general relativity and quantum mechanics remains one of the most compelling challenges in modern physics. The idea of quantized spacetime is a critical step in this journey, offering a new framework for understanding the universe. As scientists continue to explore this avenue, they are likely to encounter new challenges and opportunities for discovery. This ongoing research could pave the way for advances in technology and deepen our understanding of the universe's fundamental laws. The implications of such a breakthrough would not only transform physics but also potentially impact other scientific disciplines and even everyday life. As we stand on the brink of this new frontier, one can't help but wonder: what other secrets does the universe hold, waiting to be uncovered? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (25)
Bloomberg
10-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
A College Degree Is No Longer a Risk-Free Investment
My unifying theory of finance is that everything goes seriously wrong when people start seeing something — a bond, a mortgage-backed security, a crypto exchange — as risk-free when it isn't. Look at any financial crisis or minor blowup, and that's always where it starts. Lately I have been wondering if my hypothesis applies to areas outside of finance — specifically, to education. For years, a college degree was seen as a risk-free asset. It took money and time, but it was near certain it would pay off in the form of increased lifetime earnings. No wonder that we are in now in an education bubble: Lots of people went to college, studied things that aren't useful, and found themselves overwhelmed with debt. Many more can pay their debt, but work in jobs that don't require a degree anyhow.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Universe may have started inside black hole, not from Big Bang
The universe may not have begun with the Big Bang as is generally thought but from the collapse of a massive black hole, a new theory suggests. Current observations of our universe appear to support the Big Bang and cosmic inflation theories, which say that the early universe sprang into existence from a singular moment in space and time and rapidly blew up in size. The theories, however, leave many fundamental questions unanswered. For one, in the Big Bang model, the universe begins with a singularity, a point of infinite density where the laws of physics break down, making it difficult to understand what existed before the beginning. Two, after the explosion, the universe is said to have undergone accelerating expansion powered by yet unknown forces with strange properties. That is to say this model of cosmology explains the origin of the universe by introducing new forces and factors that have never been directly observed while still not explaining where everything came from. The new theory, described recently in the journal Physical Review D, probes what happens when the early universe's dense collection of matter collapses under gravity instead of tracing back how it all began. This is a process similar to what happens when stars collapse into black holes, but exactly what is inside these dense cosmic entities remains a mystery. Current theories state that, under typical conditions, the collapse of extremely dense matter inevitably leads to a singularity. But how exactly the rules of quantum mechanics, which dictate the behaviour of tiny particles, apply at the ultrasmall scales of a singularity is unknown. The new theory proposes that a gravitational collapse does not necessarily have to end in a singularity. It uses mathematical equations to show a collapsing cloud of matter can become extremely dense and then 'bounce' and rebound outward into a new expanding phase. 'The bounce is not only possible, it's inevitable under the right conditions,' study author Enrique Gaztanaga writes in The Conversation. 'The cosmological implication of this new approach is a novel understanding of the origin of the universe that emerges from the collapse and subsequent bounce of a spherically symmetric matter distribution.' The theory combines the framework of general relativity, which applies to largescale cosmic objects like stars and galaxies, with the principles of quantum mechanics that dictate how tiny atoms and particles behave. Crucially, it explains an early state universe without implying the existence of mysterious forces. The new theory is also testable as it predicts that the universe is not flat but slightly curved like the surface of the Earth, researchers say. If future observations can confirm that the shape of the universe indeed has a small curvature, it could suggest that it all began from a bounce. 'The smoking gun for our bouncing scenario is the presence of a small spatial curvature,' researchers write. Scientists hope further development of the theory can shed more light on current cosmic mysteries like the origin of monster black holes, the nature of dark matter, and factors influencing the evolution of galaxies. 'The black hole universe also offers a new perspective on our place in the cosmos,' Dr Gaztanaga writes. 'In this framework, our entire observable universe lies inside the interior of a black hole formed in some larger 'parent' universe.'
