Is There an Ultimate Basic Particle?
Recent research suggests that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel - and I don't mean that as a clever turn of phrase, but in the literal sense. The fresh-off-the-presses Zero Sum Theory proposes that it is light itself that comprises the most elementary of all particles, and that all matter is composed of 'split' photons.
Zero Sum just passed its first experimental confirmation in late July of 2008 (read here), but the idea shows tremendous promise. If even only the part of the theory that's been tested is correct, that antimatter exhibits a kind of 'anti-gravitational' behavior, the implications are huge, for obvious reasons. Anti-gravity at our fingertips? Control over electromagnetism unlike anything even Tesla dreamed of? Talk about a breakthrough to shape the millennium.
To put it simply, Zero Sum states that a photon does have mass - a mass of zero. Composed of both a "mass 1" particulate of matter, and a "mass -1" particulate of antimatter, electromagnetic waves have a total sum mass of 0 - hence the theory's name.
The theory goes on to suggest that gravity may be a function of the deviation by matter from the neutral energy state, and introduces many other literally world-shaking concepts, such as making a very strong case, supported by existent knowledge, that matter and antimatter do not unilaterally annihilate, but only engage in their mutually destructive reaction under certain circumstances. It is the first fully comprehensive (and testable) explanation for the mysterious mass gains and losses that occur in nuclear reactions.
All that aside, the point is that it is quite feasible for there to be an ultimate basic particle. Whether Zero Sum, MOD, or some other upstart theory eventually proves to be correct (or one that hasn't yet been proposed), it seems probable, perhaps even nearly certain, that there is an actual prime particulate out there.
Could there be a basic particle? Sure. It might be, it might not be, but it is definitely possible. But even more significant: if there is one, we're getting very close to nailing down exactly what it is.
Published by Bryan Belrad
The mind behind Zero Sum Theory, author of best-selling fiction and non-fiction, see what else he's up to on Facebook. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI have come to the conclusion myself in a theory I have been working on for a few years using light as the basis of reality. How matter is really just energy spinning in place with antimatter having an opposite spin to matter. Light as the basis of reality would make the holographic nature of reality quite literal.
However I would like to argue that anti-matter is rather hard to come by in our universe, or at least from our perception in the forward direction of time from our matter based perspective. I believe I know a good reason for this.
Fascinating article. Slowly sci-fi is proven to be real. Imaginations of writers took the first steps into the unknown and now reason is following. Great comment from Bryan below. I thought the Music of the Spheres was Pythagoras' idea, and Copernicus incorporates it into his work. He believed that the music of planet earth was Mi Fa Mi.
Fascinating, one wonders if old time science teachers are making notes of this material or just going along with the older theories.
The "music of the spheres" comes from one of Aristotle's theories. He thought that everything in the universe must vibrate at some frequency, even if we can't hear it. Ironically, even though we know that to be true, this example is still used today as a proof of Aristotle's fallibility: "Obviously, sound can't travel through space, so Aristotle was wrong." But are such "proofs" really necessary? Aristotle himself said that no true thinker should ever fail to question any idea, even if that idea comes from Aristotle. Now *that's* wisdom.
Time - yet another illusion hey? Hahaha.
Yes, i'd like to see more of your latest thoughts on harmonics. Whoever first referenced "the music of the spheres" was far more accurate than they ever knew ...
Sheryl - thanks for taking note of the image. I actually do a bit of graphic design, in addition to all the other hats I wear. This particular critter is the result of five different programs. My brother tells me that he could do it with only two, but one of them would have to be Photoshop, which I don't have. Since GD isn't my main career, I can't see dropping hundreds of dollars on a program that I will only use rarely. As far as how - layers. Lots and lots of layers. The 'energy balls' were easy compared to getting all the bits and pieces lined up just right.
JJ - that's almost exactly what I was thinking. It seems to me that absorbtion/radiation occurs on such very specific wavelengths precisely because of that 'spin harmonic'. But there's far more to be said about that than the 1,000 character limit allows. Perhaps another article, in a little while? When I get the time, anyway...
Very interesting. Great photo! How'd you do that? No - don't give away your secret.
When it comes to matter, I don't see any particles at all. Basic or otherwise. All I see are "standing waves" of energy, radiation wherein a property of their frequency/amplitude, in association with their rate of "spin" (the helical cycles our standard wave theory erroneously depicts as a two-dimensional wave) results in a non-radiating eddy. Consider a dog who caught his tail for a metaphor. He stays put and spins much like an atomic "particle" does. Break his hold on the tail and the dog once more is able to proceed in a straight line - the radiation continues on it's way. This also goes far to explain the concept of quanta - the wave's frequencies are specific and must match the helical cycle and amplitude in order to fold into a stable eddy. Think about it; let me know if/how this fits in.
interesting cool read!