Maths Cannot Describe Everything, Physicists Prove - Video Insight
Maths Cannot Describe Everything, Physicists Prove - Video Insight
Sabine Hossenfelder
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The exploration of uncomputable numbers in physics reveals profound implications for predictability in macroscopic behaviors derived from quantum interactions.

The video discusses the concept of uncomputable problems in physics, emphasizing that some calculations are not just complex but impossible to resolve, a notion underlined by a recent physicists' study. The halting problem, proved undecidable by Alan Turing, exemplifies the limitations of computation in answering whether certain algorithms will stop running or continue indefinitely. The study introduces Chon's constant, which also reveals uncomputable properties in physical systems, especially when considering interactions between quantum particles that depend on this constant. The implications are profound, suggesting that while physicists generally can predict behaviors at subatomic levels, this system remains unpredictably complex at macroscopic scales due to the presence of uncomputable numbers embedded in physical properties.


Content rate: B

The content provides a sophisticated examination of complex ideas in physics and computability, combining theoretical understanding with mathematical tools while substantiating claims made. However, it often leaves the realm of empirical reality and veers into speculative applications, which affects the overall informativeness and relevance of the findings.

physics computability quantum mathematics theory

Claims:

Claim: There are uncomputable numbers that exist in physics, leading to unpredictable behaviors in physical systems.

Evidence: The study demonstrates how Chon's constant represents a property that cannot be calculated due to the halting problem, indicating that there can be behavior in physical systems that cannot be predicted from known laws at a microscopic level.

Counter evidence: Skeptics argue that while uncomputable properties can be demonstrated mathematically, they often rely on theoretical systems that do not represent practical physical realities, hence questioning their relevance to real-world physics.

Claim rating: 8 / 10

Claim: The behavior of macroscopic objects can be fundamentally unknowable due to the complexities of quantum interactions.

Evidence: The study's authors conclude that there is no general algorithm available to determine the phase diagrams of a quantum system even if its rules are understood, implying a level of unpredictability.

Counter evidence: Critics may suggest that the unpredictability is confined to theoretical systems with infinitely many components, which may not have a direct correlation to observable physical phenomena in the universe.

Claim rating: 7 / 10

Claim: Physicists have previously shown attempts to create physical properties that are uncomputable.

Evidence: Historical attempts have been documented in scientific literature by researchers trying to model physical scenarios using uncomputable properties.

Counter evidence: These previous models typically necessitated idealized conditions that are not physically realizable, raising doubts about their significance in practical scenarios.

Claim rating: 6 / 10

Model version: 0.25 ,chatGPT:gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

### Key Takeaways from the Discussion on Unsolvable Problems in Physics 1. **Unsolvable Problems in Physics**: Some physics problems are provably unsolvable, not due to lack of tools or intelligence but because they involve calculations that are inherently impossible. 2. **Uncomputable Numbers**: Certain mathematical numbers exist but cannot be calculated, which can hinder predictions in physics. 3. **Halting Problem**: Introduced by Alan Turing, this problem states that no algorithm can determine whether a computer program will halt or run indefinitely for all possible programs. This makes it undecidable. 4. **Chaitin's Constant**: Related to the halting problem, Chaitin's constant encodes the probability of a random algorithm halting. It is uncomputable because calculating it would require solving the halting problem. 5. **Physical Implications**: Recent studies suggest macroscopic systems can exhibit behavior that is uncomputable, particularly through properties linked to Chaitin's constant. 6. **Quantum Systems**: The authors constructed a quantum algorithm using particles with quantum properties, where the interaction strength between particles is influenced by uncomputable numbers (e.g., Chaitin's constant). 7. **Phase Diagrams**: The study implies that no general algorithm exists to determine phase diagrams of such systems, indicating some behaviors become unknowable at a macroscopic level despite understanding the microscopic laws. 8. **Limitations and Realism**: Current constructs of uncomputable properties typically involve infinitely large systems, which raises questions about their physical realism in finite systems. 9. **Future Explorations**: The results hint at a deeper understanding of the interplay between computability and physical systems, possibly reshaping how we view predictions in physics. 10. **Learning Resources**: For those interested in exploring scientific concepts further, platforms like Brilliant.org offer interactive courses in various fields, including quantum mechanics and computer science. This summary encapsulates the main points of the discussion about unsolvable problems in physics and how they relate to computation and quantum systems.