By Saranne Lewis
In his Forum message, Tuesday, July 27, Steven Turley explored the possibility that Albert Einstein may have been wrong with his theories about quantum mechanics.
The BYU professor of physics began his speech about the difference between what people don”t know and what people can”t know by relating spiritual truths to researching and learning about physics.
“One of the reasons that I find such joy studying God”s creations is simply that they are the works of his hands,” he said.
Turley explained the differences between the theories of Nobel physics prize winners Niels Bohr and Einstein. While Bohr said the behavior of quantum particles is random, Einstein maintained that if man knew everything there was to know about the particles, they wouldn”t seem unsystematic at all.
With an experiment involving photons (particles of light) and detectors, it became clear that Einstein”s prediction of the behavior of these particles was incorrect, Turley said. Their behavior was always unpredictable.
However, Turley said no one theory has been wholly accepted yet because scientists are still not sure what explains this conduct.
“Was Einstein wrong?” he asked. “Yes. In this case, he apparently was. Was Bohr right? Maybe.”
While Bohr has not yet been proved either wrong or right, continued research sheds light on the subject.
Turley said his studies made him want to be like a lamplighter of old. These people lit streetlights so others could see at night.
“You didn”t always know where the lamplighter was, but you could always tell where he had been by the lamps he had lit,” he said. “I”m committed to strive to do all I can to make the influence I inevitably have on all I encounter a positive one, and invite you to do the same.”
Turley concluded with creating analogies between the known theories of quantum mechanics and the spiritual parts of students” lives.
“I find many parallels between the principles I see manifest in God”s physical creations and the revealed truths he has given us about how we should interact with each other,” he said.
Quantum particles become entangled with other particles, which greatly influence their behavior, he said.
“We are all connected in communities of family, friends, neighborhoods, quorums and work,” he said. “We should learn from our quantum friends to be actively engaged in contributing to and strengthening each of these units.”
These particles also never initially take the shape of their surroundings, Turley said. That comes after they experience more of the environment.
“We likewise do not assume the characteristics of a disciple of Christ until we encounter the tests which are an integral part of this earthly existence,” he said.
Turley finished with a plea for students to realize their potential and to take advantage of it.
“I hope you”ll take lessons into your lives of charity, helpfulness, service, involvement with others, positive responses to daily trials and an accountability for who you will eventually become,” he said.
