bivalve wrote:
> I will be helping lead a discussion on creation-related issues that brings up a couple of physics questions.
>
> One is on the general level of consensus regarding cosmological ideas. Do multiple universe models have much following, or just in the more popular press?
>
> My other question regards the accuracy of simplified descriptions of tunneling. In Not a Chance, R. C. Sproul objects to a simple description of tunneling as an electron popping out of existence in one spot and appearing in another. If I remember correctly, wave functions do not provide much of an absolute limit on the location of a particle (although the probability is quite low for distant places), so that in a way tunneling might be viewed as a low-probability region becoming a high-probability region rather than an actual example of non-continuity. I did not think much of his argument, but am wondering how much the argument reflects an overly simple version of quantum ideas rather than a real issue.
A couple of quickie responses here:
1) Multiple universe theories are taken quite seriously by a number of theorists. These can be either the "parallel universes" type of model associated with the Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Theory or the "bubble universe" models connected with inflationary theories. For what it's worth, I gave a paper on possible theological interpretations of the former type of theory, "Parallel Worlds, Quantum Theory, and Divine Sovereignty", at the 1987 ASA meeting. I'll be glad to send a copy to anyone who gives me a snailmail address.
2) "Tunnelling" means, in the simplest sense, that a particle hits a barrier which it doesn't have enough energy to get through classically but does get through. Its precisely analogous to the phenomenon of "frustrated total internal reflection" in optics. Quantum mechanical tunnelling certainly occurs, alpha decay being one of the best examples.
Shalom,
George
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Dr. David Campbell
> "Old Seashells"
> Biology Department
> Saint Mary's College of Maryland
> 18952 E. Fisher Road
> St. Mary's City, MD 20686-3001 USA
> dcampbell@osprey.smcm.edu, 301 862-0372 Fax: 301 862-0996
> "Mollusks murmured 'Morning!'. And salmon chanted 'Evening!'."-Frank Muir, Oh My Word!
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