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Welcome
Welcome to "What Is Reality?", the site which investigates the very deepest and most profound questions about the nature of physical reality. A series of accessible articles incorporating the latest ideas from theoretical physics, mathematics, cosmology, and philosophy.
Each article may be read individually, though they do link together in sequence. The later pages are more demanding.
At the end of each article you can contribute your own comments, ideas, and theories.
I've also included examples of my artwork (below), each of which has a strong art/science element.
Andrew Thomas
Click on the thumbnails for the full image plus detailed explanation.
Quantum Mechanics: An Introduction
Introducing the peculiar world of the quantum, where a particle is a wave, and a wave is a particle.
Considers the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.
(Part 1 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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The Quantum Casino
At its most basic level, nature appears to be fundamentally random. Are we all players in a
game of chance at the Quantum Casino?
(Part 2 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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Quantum Entanglement
Quantum states can become entangled in astonishing ways.
Welcome to the strange world of "qubits",
faster-than-light communication, and Einstein's first definition of reality.
(Part 3 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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Quantum Decoherence
At last it would appear a solution has been found to the riddle
of the apparent collapse of the wavefunction. Includes an interactive simulation of decoherence in an ensemble of particles.
(Part 4 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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Quantum Reality
A review of our study of quantum mechanics, the Copenhagen Interpretation,
and the first indications of a deeper "veiled" reality.
(Part 5 of "An Introduction to Quantum Reality")
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It's a Small World
Introducing the Standard Model of particle physics, and string theory. But are these
theories truly fundamental, or do they rest on a infinite tower of turtles?
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The Cosmic Universe
What happened at the start of the universe? Could Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator
arm hold the key? Also considers quantum gravity and the "wavefunction of the universe".
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The Anthropic Principle
Some of the fundamental physical constants in the universe appear to have been
fine-tuned, otherwise life could not exist. Are "multiverse" solutions the answer to this mystery?
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The Arrow of Time
All fundamental physical processes appear to be time-reversible - so why don't we see broken
eggs mending themselves? And why can't we remember the future?
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The Mathematical Universe
The universe appears to have an uncanny connection with the world of mathematics. Why is this? And do
mathematical structures have a reality all of their own?
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Is the Universe a Computer?
Some physicists believe the universe behaves like a digital computer. But are
there some things in the universe which cannot be computed?
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The Big Brother Universe
An examination of the evidence that our universe is the product of an advanced civilisation.
Are we living in a computer simulation? Are we all "housemates" in the ultimate reality show?
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