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How One Scientist Made A Mini Universe To Prove We're Wrong About Time
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- Scientist Giovanni Barontini from the University of Birmingham created a "miniature universe" of 24,000 rubidium atoms near absolute zero to explore measuring time through entropy changes rather than traditional clocks.
- The experiment used a laser-split trap with a "bright" side observed and a "dark" side unobserved, tracking time progression by atoms crossing the laser barrier and changes in entropy.
- Results showed that measuring atomic exchanges can reveal the order of events, but time can effectively stop when no atoms cross, causing discrepancies between internal and external clocks.
- This research offers a potential bridge between quantum mechanics and general relativity by demonstrating time measurement through atomic entropy, addressing conflicting views on time in physics.
- While preliminary, the experiment opens avenues for simulating cosmic conditions like the Big Bang and Big Crunch, with future studies needed to explore additional variables affecting atomic behavior and time flow.
