Experts predict that time is long considered as a fundamental aspect of our universe, but it might actually be an illusion stemming from quantum entanglement. According to a new study, this idea presents a fresh perspective.
Time is an illusion, experts speak
Looking at a report by Brightside.com, this idea presents a fresh perspective on the longstanding issue physicists face and the inconsistency of time in our best theories of the universe, which hinders the quest for a unified “theory of everything.”
As explained by a physicist at the National Research Council of Italy and the study’s lead author Alessandro Coppo, he argues that researchers propose that time is a result of quantum entanglement.
In addition, the mysterious connection between particles separated by vast distances. Their findings, published in the journal Physical Review A could offer a clue to solving the problem of time.
“There exists a way to introduce time which is consistent with both classical laws and quantum laws, and is a manifestation of entanglement,” explained Alessandro Coppo.
“The correlation between the clock and the system creates the emergence of time, a fundamental ingredient in our lives.”
Time considered a fundamental aspect of universe
As the reports suggests, time, long considered a fundamental aspect of our universe, might actually be an illusion stemming from quantum entanglement.
In terms of quantum mechanics, time is a fixed phenomenon, an unchanging flow from past to present. It remains external to the ever-changing quantum systems it measures and can only be observed through changes in external entities, like the hands of a clock.
In an open theory and conversely, Einstein’s their of general relativity deals with larger objects like stars and galaxies, depicts time as intertwined with space, capable of warping and dilating under high speeds or strong gravitational fields.
This discrepancy creates a significant conflict between our two best theories of reality, preventing the formulation of a coherent theory of everything.
“It seems there is a serious inconsistency in quantum theory,” Coppo said. “This is what we call the problem of time.”
What is unexpected fourth dimension
Techno-science.com reports that time is an elusive concept for physicists and it complicates the quest for a “theory of everything” that can unify all the laws of physics.
As things stand, however, this new study as published in Physical Review A, suggests that time might emerge from quantum entanglement, a phenomenon connecting two distant particles.
“In quantum systems, time appears immutable and external, unlike in Einstein’s general relativity, where it can be warped by gravity and speed. This discrepancy impedes the unification of physical theories,” reports the publication.
“To address this inconsistency, researchers revisited the Page and Wootters mechanism proposed in 1983, postulating that time emerges from the relationship between an object and another acting as a clock.”
In terms of the report, by applying this mechanism to two theoretical quantum states—a vibrating harmonic oscillator and a set of small magnets serving as a clock—the researchers found that their system could be described by the Schrödinger equation without explicit reference to time.
They then repeated their calculations with macroscopic objects, simplifying their equations to those of classical physics, suggesting that the flow of time stems from entanglement even at large scales.
While this approach is mathematically sound, it urges caution among other physicists. The hypothesis remains challenging to test and has yet to yield verifiable experimental predictions.
However, some scientists and researchers are of the view that starting with quantum physics to understand classical physics is a promising direction.