| From: Tasdavil | 26/04/2001
12:53:21 |
| Subject: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
287816 |
| I mean, I know what they are but
they seem to just happen and nobody even thinks about asking
why. | |
| From: Paul | 26/04/2001
13:11:19 |
| Subject: re: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
287835 |
| People do ask why, they just
don't have an answer. So far all our observations reinforce the view that
the laws of physics are correct, but we may one day find out they are only
true under given conditions, or they are in fact wrong. cheers, Paul | |
| From: Zardoz ® | 26/04/2001
13:14:06 |
| Subject: re: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
287837 |
| The laws are simple verifiable
observations of existence. A thing does something always depending upon
what it consists of. Really they are principles of observation and
experimentation. Under most circumstances, when we look at objects that are reasonably big, we do not need to invoke anything to accurately predict the object's behaviour. For instance, the motion of a baseball, or an airplane, or a red blood cell, can all be described very accurately by classical physics. When you start to look at things that are about one billionth of a meter or smaller, which is the size of atoms and small molecules, we find that classical physics is at a loss to predict much of anything. So it is mainly when we consider things that are very small, such as atoms and their inner workings, that we need to come up with a new physics, which is known as quantum mechanics. 
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug98/903836982.Ph.r.html | |
| From: The Physics Police (Avatar) | 26/04/2001
14:28:57 |
| Subject: re: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
287924 |
Hey-up then, what's all this about, eh? Physics laws go through a normal, although very stringent, legislative review process. Anyone can propose a new Law of Physics, but you'll need a couple of things to get it passed. First you'll need to propose it to the general Physics Legislative Assembley, a loose congregation of Physicists all around the globe. This proposal should be through a peer reviewed journal. Then you need to get on the campaign trail, son! Get out there and press palms! Convince physicists that your new law is self consistent and well supported by experimental data and make sure your law isn't contradicted in any way by current observations. Alternatively promise the guys that it follows from your law that they'll get invited to more cool parties and get to meet fab chicks. (Physics guys, due to their lamentable social skills, are easily lead astray by either of the above promises). If your law hits the spot and the general consensus is favourable, it will be Legislated and become law! With your name on it! This piece was brought to you by the "Physics and the Law" Educational Initiative proudly supported by the Physics Police. Cheerio then Sergeant Secondlawofthermodynamics Physics Police | |
| From: James R (Avatar) | 26/04/2001
14:30:50 |
| Subject: re: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
287926 |
| The question which is the title
of this thread is a philosophical question rather than a scientific one.
Science asks what the laws are, rather than why they are. Something to think about: Why does there have to be a cause for the laws of physics? Maybe they just are. JR | |
| From: Carmel ® | 26/04/2001
14:32:06 |
| Subject: re: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
287928 |
| Something to
think about: Why does there have to be a cause for the laws of physics?
Maybe they just are. But can something trully come from nothing? | |
| From: B.C. ® | 27/04/2001
9:13:06 |
| Subject: re: What causes the laws of physics? | post id:
288431 |
| The laws of physics were decided
at and soon after the BB or BB's.The instant the four forces started to
separate,the gravitational strength,the expansion rate,all set the laws of
physics in stone. | |