The projection of the "Atomic Universe" was vast and profound. Elements underwent fission and fusion reactions ceaselessly, destruction and creation existing in a superimposed state. Even the influence of the "Thunder
Fernando was momentarily stunned. "You're approaching the third rank of Legend... The real-world feedback from the probabilistic interpretation of the wave function?"
In his mind, the solemn image of Lucian meeting his gaze and declaring that determinism must die still lingered.
"Mm." Lucian nodded gently and produced two more papers. "Together with the probabilistic interpretation of the wave function, they form the three fundamental principles of quantum mechanics—the mechanics of the microscopic domain."
"'An Heuristic Description of the Uncertainty Principle' and 'The Complementarity Principle of Waves and Particles'..." The moment Fernando read the word "uncertainty," a vein throbbed in his forehead. It reminded him of "probability"—probability that must be sent to hell!
"...A pair of non-commuting observables cannot be determined simultaneously. A precise knowledge of one necessarily leads to uncertainty in the other. For example, when the velocity and momentum of an electron are completely known, it will be discovered to have vanished, with no definite position..."
The first paper contained the matrix mechanics Fernando was familiar with—the familiar non-commutativity of momentum and position. But this time, beyond the mathematical formulation, Lucian provided concrete Arcane significance, responding to the countless Archmagi who had criticized the physical meaning of matrix mechanics.
But Fernando would rather this Arcane significance didn't exist!
Because it once again negated the effort to explore the world. In the end, no matter how hard we try, we cannot accurately know the specific information of an electron? Precise mastery of one attribute necessarily leads to uncertainty in another?
And the uncertain, probabilistic microscopic particles are the very foundation of all matter in the world. So matter itself is uncertain and probabilistic? And we, composed of it, are also uncertain and probabilistic?
This was the most absurd, most laughable theory!
After thinking for a moment, Fernando spoke in a suppressed, low voice. "Is this due to observation? Because microscopic particles are so small, so easily disturbed, that all our methods of observation cause them to change. Therefore, while we can determine one of their arcane quantities, we cannot simultaneously grasp the other quantity, which has been altered by our observation?"
If this was the interpretation, he could more readily accept it. It meant that indirect methods could be used to measure both quantities. This was still an observable, researchable world from which essential laws could be summarized—not the probability world Lucian spoke of, permeating all of space, ubiquitous and omnipresent!
Lucian pondered for a moment, then sighed. "This is strictly derived from the premises using mathematical methods. It means nothing else is mixed in. Therefore, I want to explain that the uncertainty principle is an intrinsic property of microscopic particles, inherent to their nature, unrelated to the means of observation. As for why they exhibit this property, that awaits our research—just like why they possess wave-particle duality."
Fernando's face had long flushed red, the veins on his forehead bulging rhythmically. The gale grew fiercer, blowing books down with sharp cracks. Rain poured down amidst thunder and lightning, the dark, oppressive atmosphere completely blocking out the bright light.
He barely managed to control himself and looked at Lucian's final paper. This paper had made him feel slightly better at first, because it was a theory Lucian had long proposed: blind men feeling a dragon! Unable to truly understand microscopic particles, one could only describe them based on strict experimental results, even if these results were mutually contradictory. This contradiction was determined by our current state; at a higher level, they were unified.
But then Lucian used this concept to explain the uncertainty principle as arising from wave-particle duality. When the particle nature was more prominent, the wave nature naturally vanished, and vice versa. Thus, it manifested in relationships involving momentum, position, and so on.
The three papers constructed a logically consistent theoretical explanation, revealing the profound laws of matrix mechanics and the microscopic domain. But such laws were precisely what Fernando absolutely did not want!
BOOM!
A thunderclap far more violent than before erupted. Fernando's eyes stared fixedly at Lucian, electric arcs leaping within his pupils. His left eye displayed the terrifying scene of primordial chaos descending. Bolts of lightning struck inside the study, destroying bookshelf after bookshelf.
"If the initial state cannot strictly determine the subsequent development of things, if the microscopic domain is filled with uncertainty relations everywhere, then our world should be like this—more chaotic and disordered than the infinite abyss, with absolutely no possibility for us to exist and think!"
The gale hit them head-on, the downpour fell like a torrent, but such might was insignificant compared to the vast universe of atoms projected around them, becoming minuscule upon entering.
Lucian seemed to stand at the center of this boundless atomic universe, speaking in a low voice. "The generalized determinism has long encountered difficulties with the n-body problem. And the microscopic domain is precisely a place where we must discard our original concepts. Uncertainty in the microscopic domain does not represent uncertainty in the macroscopic world."
The n-body problem was a concept in celestial mechanics; the simplest case was the three-body problem—a system of three celestial bodies in motion. Due to their mutual interactions, it was extremely complex, so the actual trajectories could not be strictly solved. One could only use qualitative methods to discuss solutions for the whole system or local moments, which contradicted determinism. However, the Astral Union generally believed this was due to the insufficient development of mathematics and physics.
"Then why is there such a huge difference between the microscopic and macroscopic domains?" Fernando's roar was more terrifying than thunder.
Countless elemental planets orbited Lucian. "That is precisely what we need to research."
"Understanding nothing, needing research on everything, yet you dare to propose such a theory?" Fernando's fury grew, triggering surrounding celestial phenomena. The rising sun was obscured by dark clouds, lightning streaked across the sky, and this discovery prompted Helen, who was on duty at the Aling Tower, to notify
Within the profound, vast projection of the atomic universe, Lucian took a step forward. "This is derived from a large amount of experimental results. It best fits the current theories and phenomena of the microscopic domain!"
"The way to prove its error is not by refuting it with old theories, but by confirming it with conclusive experiments!"
As he spoke, Lucian pushed up his monocle:
"Master, calm down first. Design an experiment to overturn it, and defeat me."