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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!emh
From: emh@bonnie.UUCP (Edward M. Hummel)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Is the universe predictable?
Message-ID: <326@bonnie.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Dec-84 08:59:03 EST
Article-I.D.: bonnie.326
Posted: Fri Dec 14 08:59:03 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Dec-84 02:03:41 EST
References: <382@ukma.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Whippany NJ
Lines: 25


>I think the question here is: Are there any truly random forces?

>Do we all behave according to a mathematical model too  difficult
>to  comprehend  or  measure?  If  there are no random forces, the
>answer would seem to be yes.  I'd like to hear some real theoret-
>ical discussion on this if I can persuade some physicist types to
>do so.

	For those who believe there is some truth in quantum field
theory, the answer must be that all forces are 'random' (with the
possible exception of gravity) if one looks at a small enough scale.
Forces are transmitted by particles which are the result of
quantizing the "force" field.
		electromagnetism:	photons
		weak interactions:	W+,Z0,W-
		strong interaction:	gluons
	(I hesitate to list gravity because the jury is still out)

	The motion of these intermediary particles is not
deterministic in the classical sense.  Rather they follow
quantum mechanical 'equations of motion' with the associated
probabilistic interpertation.

					Ed Hummel