Quantum Kids

by Aaron Freeman

How children naively imagine the world parallels how science describes nature. Grownups eat your hearts out.

Quantum physics is a one of the most successful scientific theories in history. It describes the behavior of insanely small particles. Its predictions have been proven correct to many decimal places. Quantum calculations underlie electronics, computers, and our most fundamental descriptions of nature. Quantum physics describes ours as an Alice in Wonderland universe.

In our actual, physical world, surreally small photons of light, billions of miles away, can seem to read the minds of earthbound astronomers. Quantum experiments show that physical realities change depending on whether or not you’re looking at them and particles can appear in a least two different places at the same time.

A quantum view of nature might make us more patient and humble parents.

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, for example, says you cannot precisely know both the location and velocity a particle. We get frustrated with our kids for losing their clothes and toys. But according to Heisenberg the most careful scientist with the most sensitive equipment cannot know exactly where she it right now.

Physicists study so much they’ve unlearned the comfortable limits of Newtonian science. Children have studied so little they’ve yet to be misled by them. Most adults know enough science to understand nature has rules but not enough to understand how quirky those rules appear. Instead of correcting childish theories of nature we might be better off taking notes.

Super String is a scientific theory aspiring to explain everything. The Super String theory says there are at least seven dimensions in addition to the four we perceive. Surprise, surprise, there might be something under Tricia’s bed that her parents cannot see.

Things around the house get dropped or broken and when asked, a child swears someone else must have done it. Adults sneer, “It must have been your evil twin.” But particle physics routinely demonstrates the existence of particles and anti-particles. So in this physical universe there could be an anti-little Johnny whose energy is negative.

We think children insane when they believe closing their eyes makes them invisible. But quantum physics mathematically describes our world wherein unlimited possibilities exist simultaneously. Some possibilities are more probable than others, I will probably not get picked for Survivor, but all possibilities exist and are calculable. The probability that a child becomes invisible when closing her eyes is small, but its value is greater than zero. Thus a seemingly delusional child is expressing a measurable and mathematically solid reality.

Einstein says, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” In our oddball physical world whimsy may trump convention. Perhaps from the mouths of babes spring not just human truth but scientific fact. Maybe the next disposable diapers you buy should include a lab coat.

© 2002 Aaron Freeman