Heres How Schrodingers Cat Works

Erwin Schrodinger was one of the key figures in quantum physics, even before his famous Schrodingers Cat thought experiment. He had created the quantum wave function, which was now the defining equation of motion in the universe, but the problem is that it expressed all motion in the form of a series of probabilities—something which goes in direct violation to how most scientists of the day (and possibly even today) like to believe about how physical reality operates. Schrodinger himself was one such scientist and he came up with the concept of Schrodingers Cat to illustrate the issues with quantum physics. Lets consider the issues, then, and see how Schrodinger sought to illustrate them through analogy. Quantum Indeterminancy The quantum wave function portrays all physical quantities as a series of quantum states along with a probability of a system being in a given state. Consider a single radioactive atom with a half-life of one hour. According to the quantum physics wave function, after one hour the radioactive atom will be in a state where it is both decayed and not-decayed. Once a measurement of the atom is made, the wave function will collapse into one state, but until then, it will remain as a superposition of the two quantum states. This is a key aspect of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics—its not just that the scientist doesnt know which state its in, but its rather that the physical reality is not determined until the act of measurement takes place. In some unknown way, the very act of observation is what solidifies the situation into one state or another. Until that observation takes place, the physical reality is split between all possibilities. On to the Cat Schrodinger extended this by proposing that a hypothetical cat be placed in a hypothetical box. In the box with the cat we would place a vial of poison gas, which would instantly kill the cat. The vial is hooked up to an apparatus which is wired into a Geiger counter, a device used to detect radiation. The aforementioned radioactive atom is placed near the Geiger counter and left there for exactly one hour. If the atom decays, then the Geiger counter will detect the radiation, break the vial, and kill the cat. If the atom does not decay, then the vial will be intact and the cat will be alive. After the one-hour period, the atom is in a state where it is both decayed and not-decayed. However, given how weve constructed the situation, this means that the vial is both broken and not-broken and, ultimately, according to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics the cat is both dead and alive. Interpretations of Schrodingers Cat Stephen Hawking is famously quoted as saying When I hear about Schrodingers cat, I reach for my gun. This represents the thoughts of many physicists, because there are several aspects about the thought experiment that bring up issues. The biggest problem with the analogy is that quantum physics typically only operates on the microscopic scale of atoms and subatomic particles, not on the macroscopic scale of cats and poison vials. The Copenhagen interpretation states that the act of measuring something causes the quantum wave function to collapse. In this analogy, really, the act of measurement takes place by the Geiger counter. There are scores of interactions along the chain of events—it is impossible to isolate the cat or the separate portions of the system so that it is truly quantum mechanical in nature. By the time the cat itself enters the equation, the measurement has already been made ... a thousand times over, measurements have been made—by the atoms of the Geiger counter, the vial-breaking apparatus, the vial, the poison gas, and the cat itself. Even the atoms of the box are making measurements when you consider that if the cat falls over dead, it will come in contact with different atoms than if it paces anxiously around the box. Whether or not the scientist opens the box is irrelevant, the cat is either alive or dead, not a superposition of the two states. Still, in some strict views of the Copenhagen interpretation, it is actually an observation by a conscious entity which is required. This strict form of the interpretation is generally the minority view among physicists today, although there remains some intriguing argument that the collapse of the quantum wavefunctions may be linked to consciousness. (For a more thorough discussion of the role of consciousness in quantum physics, I suggest Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness by Bruce Rosenblum Fred Kuttner.) Still another interpretation is the Many Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum physics, which proposes that the situation actually branches off into many worlds. In some of these worlds the cat will be dead upon opening the box, in others the cat will be alive. While fascinating to the public, and certainly to science fiction authors, the Many Worlds Interpretation is also a minority view among physicists, though there is no specific evidence for or against it. Edited by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Why do we need a criminal justice system Free Essay Example, 1000 words

The need for Criminal Justice System Human civilizations have always been exposed to a range of crimes, a social evil which has plagued the societies since time immemorial. In order to counter such threats to societies and ensure a peaceful existence of communities, the establishment of an efficient criminal justice system is imperative. The key purpose behind the establishment of a criminal justice system is to ensure a fair process to facilitate negotiation to enable appropriate and effective resolution of conflicts. It is also designed and implemented to ensure a fair distribution of power and wealth within a society and / or community. In order for any community or society to develop and prosper, it needs to have a well-developed and well-structured justice system which takes into consideration the pleas of all individuals belonging to different parts of the society. Laws developed as a part of the criminal justice system tend to regulate the behaviour of the citizens and dictate the codes of conduct, in a way that it deters criminals from indulging in crimes. Laws are designed at national level and implemented nationwide and is applicable for all citizens equally. We will write a custom essay sample on Why do we need a criminal justice system or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now These rules and regulations act as guidelines for individuals and dictate the model behaviour expected of them, as responsible members of the society we live in. Furthermore, it is effective criminal justice systems ensure the protection of basic human rights and addresses larger social evils, and lay a foundation for a better and peaceful habitat for all individuals (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2006). Criminal Justice System: Meaning and Definition According to Gibson et al (2008) a criminal justice system is a "dedicated form of justice that applies in relation to criminal cases as opposed to civil, family or administrative matters - and that has its own laws, principles, rules, procedures, codes, practices and thinking" (Pp. 9). An effective justice system refers to not only one, which ensures protection of ordinary citizens but it also includes rehabilitation of criminals and bringing them back to the mainstream society. The Australian criminal justice system comprises of a set of laws and regulations which are developed with an aim to safeguard the members belonging to various communities as well as that of their properties. The system holds the right to decide which acts are and can be categorized as criminal in nature and could prove to be harmful for the society. Under the Australian criminal justice system, the criminals or perpetrators of crime are punished by various means such as through punishments, fines, imprisonment and / or community service (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011).

The Capital Justification Expenditure Is Vital For The...

Indicating the capital justification expenditures is vital for the return on investment of a Per Provider for Electronic Medical Record Implementation. Several key aspects are necessary to mention of the amount and type of expenditure, attainment of key decision criteria, and detailed financial analysis. Hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory care settings even have to indicate important capital expenditures. Factoring in risk is always crucial to consider as well as physician acceptance, competition from HCO’s and volume and market data increase. Health care organizations and universities should be maintaining increased ROI and consistently improving areas of risk and HCO’s aspects to be mentioned in further detail. Factors of Justification†¦show more content†¦For instance, there are generic principles of pricing of desired net income, competitive position, and market structure. According to (Cleverly, Song, Cleverly, 2011), every business must generate enough revenue through its sales of products and services to sustain its operations and provide for the replacement of its physical assets as well as provide a return to its investors. Partners Healthcare System and among other organizations must recognize levels of pricing, so inadequate pricing doesn’t accumulate to lead to business disaster. The next factor to consider is competitive position and healthcare firms can substantially ensure higher quality of care when pricing there products and services at an increased level. Aside from pricing, cost is another major aspect since it can drastically affect a company’s competitive position. A hard investment would involve a MRI device that insurance companies or healthcare organizations could reimburse the office at a higher rate for providing the patients of improved cost-efficient results. As a result, such benefits accrue primarily from savings in drug expenditures, improved utilization of radiology tests, better capture of charges, and decreased billing errors, (Wang et al., 2003). Physician providers are always in competition with the latest and greatest technology, EMR system, and most effective medication for patients.

The Purple Rose of Cairo free essay sample

Film has captured and enchanted audiences since its origination with the Lumiere Brothers; and, as it developed, it began to be used to convey messages and ideas. Film started to become a creative outlet that then turned to a catalyst of philosophical thought. Film theorist Sergei Einstein expressed that film â€Å"as a work of art, understood dynamically, is just the process of arranging images in the feelings and mind of the spectator†. Thus, directors began to realize that audience manipulation was possible through the images and sounds they delivered, as well as through the way these images and sounds were presented it all has an effect of how viewers thought of and interpreted the films. This is especially clear in the German film, Triumph of Will, directed by Leni Reifenstahl. While the film is brilliantly made, with moving cameras, the utilization of long focus lenses, aerial photography, and a revolutionary approach to musical accompaniment, the film was also incredibly propagandistic and manipulative at the time of it’s release. We will write a custom essay sample on The Purple Rose of Cairo or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The entire film is a vehicle to promote the ideologies of Hitler; beginning with Germany’s near-destruction in World War I and depicting Hitler as a messiah, descending from the skies to greet his vehement followers. In the opening minutes of the film, there are close-up and over-the-shoulder shots of Hitler, making him seem rather personable, adored, and somewhat noble. There are also shots of children approaching him, showing that the ideas of innocence and purity are to be seen as parallel to the views and goals Hitler himself. Aesthetically, the entire film is superbly done, and politically its manipulative powers are astonishing. By showing Germany as unified under the divine rule of Hitler, it brought the nation together and created one of the most destructive and powerful nations in the 1940s. While film can be used as propaganda, like in Nazi Germany, it can also be used to provoke thought, rather than control it, manipulate it, or deceive it. In Woody Allen’s film The Purple Rose of Cairo, the audience is pushed to move beyond the appearance of things and consider other worlds, other perspectives. For the heroine, Cecilia, film is an escape and an impossible inspiration. According to the fictitious movie (The Purple Rose of Cairo), the purple rose itself is supposed to grow in a pharaoh’s tomb the expression of a perfect love. However, no flower can grow without light making it an impossible inspiration. According to Plato, and to partially to Allen, our relationship with truth is rather grim. When we attend movies we are much like Plato’s captives, chained facing a cave wall, only seeing a world of shadows our reality is suspended. But another point is made; although we can be deceived by shadows, we are also capable of understanding and questioning anything, shadows included. Yes, film is an escape from reality and the idea of being able to truly escape a somewhat horrid life is unimaginably wonderful, but thats just it it is an idea. Change has to be brought on by oneself, not an unreliable outside source, and perfection is an illusion. I as a viewer absolutely love how Allen presents these ideologies in The Purple Rose of Cairo. He gives it an unconventional point of view, setting up a series of contrasts between perfection and imperfection, reality and illusion, loving someone and being in love with someone, that forces us to think about film as well as the actual content of the film. And this all ties back to Plato’s â€Å"Allegory of the Cave†; our life is veiled and we must aspire to leave and become less dependent on the shadow world. What is interesting is that, in the film, Allen makes the audience unsure of which world is the shadow world and which is the illusion. The perfect world becomes the film world and the false one is the desired reality. As entertainment, the film is great a nonsensical romantic comedy with a less-than-happy ending; but philosophically it goes much deeper than that, provoking audiences to think about reality and the importance of imperfection. While on the subject of imperfection, a third film demands some attention. Alejandro Amenabar’s The Sea Inside presents a whole new perspective on what perfection in life is. Many people see suicide as a selfish act removing yourself from the lives of your loved ones far earlier than they would have liked. However, the question of who is more selfish is posed. Is it the people who remove themselves when they feel no more connection to life; or the people who expect those who want to leave to stay, regardless of their misery or feelings of lacking true connection to the vibrancy of life? Thus are the questions presented to audiences upon viewing this film. In my mind, everyone should have the freedom to choose the life they want to live, or not live; and to choose what meaning they take out of said life. In Clendine’s â€Å"The Good Short Life†, it is said that we speak of living life, but never of death. That â€Å"we act as if facing death weren’t one of life’s greatest, most absorbing thrills and challenges† and that being incoherent and immobile until one only sees friends and family as â€Å"a passing cloud†. Both Clendine and Ramon didn’t want to put their loved ones through that, and taking one’s life seemed to be the best solution. Both were â€Å"vital to the end, and knew when to leave†. In my opinion, if someone has legitimate, justifiable reasons to want to leave this earth (such as a degenerative disease), that they have a right to do so. And if they cannot on their own accord due to that degenerative disease, I think that others (physicians, family members, friends) should be legally permitted to assist them. They shouldn’t be obligated to assist, but if they give consent and are willing to aid, I think they should be permitted. Mark from Breathing Lessons and Ramon were also similar on a few levels, but Mark had more hope and determination to live with dignity. Unlike Ramon who saw his life as undignified, Mark viewed it more as excessively challenging. Mark still desired life though considered suicide, but â€Å"chickened out† showing that he did truly still want to live. Ramon, however, was lost in his melancholy and nostalgia for the past, choosing to disregard the possibilities the future could bring. I think that it is a personal choice and that each individual should be given the liberty of making that choice. The phrase â€Å"dying with dignity† always reminds me of greek mythology when humiliated warriors would throw themselves on their swords for an honorable death, rather than live life in humility. I think Ramon saw his life as more humiliating and therefore wanted to throw himself on his sword, so to speak. With this, I think that the US should have a â€Å"death with dignity† law. Everyone has a right to life, as well as a right to death. Film is one of the most influential and powerful media. It’s capabilities to provoke, cultivate, and manipulate audience thought is incredible and worth studying. The innovations that film itself has gone through the amount of genres it contains, special effects, and advancements in sound all contribute to film as a whole, and all contribute to the beauty of how film is created and suspends the reality of viewers if only for an hour or two.