Season 10, Week 7: Quantum Life

[rayaso]

Topic: "Where I'm From"

An Explanation.  The physics in this story is obviously more imaginative than actual, but since it's my story, I get to decide on the science.  Think of it as "based upon" science, and ignore the massive errors.  If you do know the physics involved, you can feel superior, which is not a bad thing if you don't get carried away with it.  Teenson says he understands it, but I don't believe him.  I did not let him check my science, because the less superior he feels right now, the better.  It's a character issue.

QUANTUM LIFE

Paul Kransky deserved either a Nobel Prize or a dunce cap for the events on August 12, 2012.  He was a professor of physics at UCLA and he fancied himself an inspiring teacher.  He was famous for his annual lecture on black holes, which he gave while wearing a black leotard.  This always generated a flurry of tweets.

To celebrate the 125th birthday of the famous physicist Erwin Schroedinger, Prof. Kransky planned to enact the famous "Schroedinger's Cat" thought experiment, with an important twist.

In 1935, Prof. Schroedinger had wanted to illustrate a paradox when quantum physics was applied to ordinary life.  Because the quantum state of a particle depended on whether it was observed or not, Schroedinger had proposed locking a cat in a box with some radioactive material.  The cat's life or death depended on whether the material emitted certain particles or not.

To an outside observer, the fate of the cat was unknown because the state of the radioactive material was unknown, and thus, the poor cat remained both alive and dead until the box was opened and the state of the radioactive material was known, which also determined the fate of the cat.

While Schroedinger had the good sense not to do this to a cat, Kransky decided to try it on himself in honor of the great man.

"Good morning, class," Prof. Kransky began on that fateful day.  "Today I'm going to illustrate the Schroedinger's Cat paradox by putting myself in this large pine box with a small quantity of radioactive material.  You won't know whether I'm alive or dead until the box is opened."  Dr. Stephanie Carson, his graduate assistant, could be seen off to one side, holding her head in awe of her boss's brilliance.

Dr. Carson, her cheeks red with excitement, helped Prof. Kransky into the box, then she put in the radioactive isotope and shut the top.  After a few minutes, Dr. Carson asked the class to vote on whether Prof. Kransky was alive.  The class, applying their understanding of quantum physics, voted unanimously that he was dead. 

Dr. Carson opened the box to determine Prof. Kransky's quantum fate.

Quantum State A?

OR

Quantum State B?

Comments

[murielle.livejournal.com]

I remember nothing, well relatively nothing, about the physics I learned in school, but I thoroughly enjoyed your entry.

Bravo! Way to go!

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Most of what I know about quantum physics is that it is deeply weird. While the science provides the starting point, I didn't want it to get in the way of the story. Besides, it's not real physics -- it's physics my way, which includes a club sandwich as a possible quantum alternative.

[murielle.livejournal.com]

"...it's physics my way,.."

Your way is just a ton of fun!

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I don't think "quantum physics" and "ton of fun" have ever appeared together.

[i-17bingo.livejournal.com]

This is bonkers and a ton of fun. I love the professor and his scientific optimism, and I really like the pragmatic Dr. Carson.

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Calling Kransky an optimist is kind -- he's generally well-meaning, but simply wrong.

[meridian_rose]

Very creative with a lot of good lines and great sense of humour :)

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I thought I would try "create your own quantum reality" and see what happened.

[kajel.livejournal.com]

So much fun!

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Haha...This is just my kinda of story esp since I get to choose the end..and I'd like to choose Quantum State A ..:D Loved this take..I wish we had someone like Prof. Kransky to teach us physics for me to remember it well ;)

Amazing take! Kudos!

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! You may have remembered Prof. Kransky (or his antics at the lectern), but you would never have been certain if what he taught you was correct. You would always be looking at Dr. Carson for clues as to the accuracy of what he was saying.

[marlawentmad.livejournal.com]

This is so good! I love the structure. Delightful and thought-provoking.

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

I got such a kick out of this idea, and I loved the execution. The black leotard lectures, the tweets (and not celebratory ones, either, despite what he seemed to have thought), the two fates. Science may very well be better off without Professor Kransky, though he certainly provided inspiration for someone. :)

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed the lighter side of quantum physics. Of course, I am grateful to you for setting up the various links.