We see our hand touch a pane of glass. We can use a magnifying glass to see this same action at the 'dermis' level. Using a microscope, we can see the same action at the tissue and also the cellular levels. Using an electron microscope we can see the same action at the protein and macro-molecule levels... and so on down to the atomic level (and supposedly beyond). Different areas of science focus on these multiple levels, without reverting to causes on the 'particle' level. However 'physics' appears to believe that all causes, all actions begin at the lowest level. Shouldn't a holistic view of reality include all levels, with actions occurring at all levels simultaneously?
Physics is a basis for other hard sciences. And "particles" a basis of matter, and even energy. Knowing properties of "particles" other sciences, as layers, can be attached to physics, - chemistry, biology, medical research... Physics is not supposed to replace other sciences, not supposed to consider interactions of "dermis" level.
Because different laws work on different scales (particle-scale). On the scale of galaxies, the laws of general relativity work. On the scale of the solar system, the laws of Newton and classical mechanics work, down to microns. Less than a micrometer, the laws of quantum mechanics begin to work, which explain the operation of many electronic components, such as transistors, diodes, light-emitting diodes, lasers, etc. There are also Maxwell's laws for electromagnetic waves. And by the way, in addition to particles, there are also waves, and in quantum mechanics, and in general, wave–particle duality. In general, it is very important to understand the limits of applicability of certain laws, one of the ways is knowledge of the scale. The simultaneous application of laws from different scales does not always work, and even leads to contradictions, for example, it is still not possible to combine all fundamental interactions. A hypothetical unifying theory is called a theory of everything.
Thank you for responding Vladimir, The question is not about replacing other scientific areas, rather why these areas are not all considered building a single model of reality. Since we can observe actions at many levels occuring at the same 'location' (in 3-D space) and at the same time, why are we not considering a single model of reality than includes levels of scale?
Thank you for responding Mikhail,
Yes different levels operate differently, however they are all levels of reality - which can interact between them. I think science (at least all areas looking at physical phenomena) should be working toward a single model of reality that includes all levels. I think so long as we work on each level separately, we will not be able to understand reality as a whole and there cannot be a 'Theory of Everything'.
Do you really believe that it's time to merge physics, chemistry, biology?..
Physics continues to look for a 'Theory of Everything'. How can this not include physics, chemistry, biology, etc.? From my perspective, expanding the study of reality to all these levels is the new paradigm physics is looking for. In order to accomplish this, physical space needs to include all levels of scale - which are each studied as 3-D spaces. This would require a 4-D spatial model of reality, which provides for different objects and different actions to occur at different levels in the same 3D location (e.g., when touching a pane of glass).
The difficulty comes from the mathematical side, which needs new mathematics to adequately address this 4-D model. I believe the missing mathematics is essentially preventing physicists from combining all these different levels.
Such a 4-D model would also reject the statement, by some physicists, that we don't really touch, since atoms do not physically touch each other (this statement gets limited to just the lower scale levels). In addition it opens up the discussion of cause coming from a 'higher' level to a lower level - that physicists tend to reject and biochemists seem to need.
- Badges
- Science topic