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"Let there be h" ! an Existence Argument for Planck's Constant

Constantinos Ragazas

Published Feb 1, 2010• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

Planck's constant h is considered to be a fundamental Universal constant of Physics. And although we can experimentally determine its value to great precision, the reason for its existence and what it really means is still a mystery. Quantum Mechanics has adapted it in its mathematical formalism, as it also has the Quantum Hypothesis. But QM does not explain its meaning or prove its existence. Why does the Universe need h and energy quanta? Why does the mathematical formalism of QM so accurately reflect physical phenomena and predict these with great precision? Ask any physicists and uniformly the answer is that's how the Universe works. The units of h are in energy-time and the conventional interpretation of h is as a quantum of action. But in this brief note we take a different view. We interpret h as the minimal accumulation of energy that can be manifested in our measurements. Certainly the units of h agree with such interpretation. Based on this we provide a plausible explanation for the existence of Planck's constant, what it means and how it comes about. We show that the existence of Planck's constant is not so much dictated by the Universe but rather by Mathematics and the inner consistence and calibrations of Physics.

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The Metaphysics of Physics

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The current physical view of the Universe (the Metaphysics of Physics) is one that just does not make sense and is counter-intuitive to our Experience. It begins with the Quantization of Energy Hypothesis used by Planck to derive his blackbody radiation formula and by Einstein to explain the photoelectric effect, which later evolved into Quantum Mechanics. By examining these conceptual foundations of Modern Physics we are able to show that the same experimental facts that lead to Quantum Physics can be differently explained without using energy quanta, continuously and not discretely. We are able to derive Planck's Law without using quanta and explain the photoelectric effect without needing photons. We summarize in this paper results presented in a series of papers that show with mathematical reasoning and rigor how this is possible. The main purpose of this endeavor is to create a view of the Universe that 'makes sense', that agrees with our Experience and provides physical meaning to our Understanding of it.

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Planck's constant h is considered to be a fundamental Universal constant of Physics. And although we can experimentally determine its value to great precision, the reason for its existence and what it really means is still a mystery. Quantum Mechanics has adapted it in its mathematical formalism, as it also has the Quantum Hypothesis. But QM does not explain its meaning or prove its existence. Why does the Universe need h and energy quanta? Why does the mathematical formalism of QM so accurately reflect physical phenomena and predict these with great precision? Ask any physicists and uniformly the answer is that's how the Universe works. The units of h are in energy-time and the conventional interpretation of h is as a quantum of action. But in this brief note we take a different view. We interpret h as the minimal accumulation of energy that can be manifested in our measurements. Certainly the units of h agree with such interpretation. Based on this we provide a plausible explanation for the existence of Planck's constant, what it means and how it comes about. We show that the existence of Planck's constant is not so much dictated by the Universe but rather by Mathematics and the inner consistence and calibrations of Physics.
The current physical view of the Universe (the Metaphysics of Physics) is one that just does not make sense and is counter-intuitive to our Experience. It begins with the Quantization of Energy Hypothesis used by Planck to derive his blackbody radiation formula and by Einstein to explain the photoelectric effect, which later evolved into Quantum Mechanics. By examining these conceptual foundations of Modern Physics we are able to show that the same experimental facts that lead to Quantum Physics can be differently explained without using energy quanta, continuously and not discretely. We are able to derive Planck's Law without using quanta and explain the photoelectric effect without needing photons. We summarize in this paper results presented in a series of papers that show with mathematical reasoning and rigor how this is possible. The main purpose of this endeavor is to create a view of the Universe that 'makes sense', that agrees with our Experience and provides physical meaning to our Understanding of it.
Arguments are gived for the plausibility that quantum mechanics is a stochastic theory and that many quantum phenomena derive from the existence of a real noise consisting of vacuum fluctuations of all fundamental fields existing in nature. Planck's constant appears as the parameter fixing the scale of the fluctuations. Hints for an intuitive explanation are offered for some typical quantum features, like the uncertainty principle or the particle behaviour of fields. It is proposed that the recent discovery of dark energy in the universe is an argument for the reality of the vacuum fluctuations. A study is made of the compatibility of the model with the results of performed tests of Bell\'{}s inequalities.
On 14 December 1900 Max Planck first formulated the idea of energy quanta related to a new universal constant now known as Planck's constant. Despite the following progress of thus initiated "quantum mechanics", the physical origin of both quantization and universality of Planck's constant remains mysterious, as well as other "peculiar" properties of quantum dynamics. In this paper we review a recent causal extension of quantum mechanics consistently explaining all its "mysteries" by irreducibly complex, "dynamically multivalued" behaviour of the underlying system of two interacting protofields (quant-ph/9902015, quant-ph/9902016). The theory contains no imposed postulates or entities except one, unavoidable assumption about the physical nature of the protofields. All the observed entities and their properties, starting from physically real space, time, and elementary particle structure, are consistently derived, in exact correspondence with their emergence in real, irreducibly complex system dynamics. The latter provides also natural (dynamic) unification of the causally extended versions of quantum mechanics, relativity, and field theory, including unification and causal understanding of particle interaction forces. Realism and wholeness of the obtained world picture are in agreement with the "absolute reality" quest of Max Planck and confirm his famous doubts about the conventional scheme of quantum mechanics (cf. quant-ph/9911107, quant-ph/0101129). We describe various applications of the obtained results providing successful solution to many fundamental and practical problems dangerously stagnating within conventional approaches.
Is the formalism of quantum mechanics complete? Examination of Max Karl Planck's original quantum work suggests the answer is "No".1-3 Retrospective analysis of Planck's foundational quantum derivation suggests that his action constant ("h") is actually the product of an energy constant ("h̃") and a time variable (tm"). Planck's ground-breaking quantum formula, "E = hν" (E is energy and ν is frequency) may more appropriately be denoted as, "E = h̃tmν". The energy constant represents the energy of a single oscillation or wave of electromagnetic (EM) energy, and is constant regardless of frequency, wavelength or photon energy. The time variable (as originally defined by Planck) is the measurement time of the electromagnetic energy. The invariance of the EM energy constant over a change in time or space suggests it represents a universal constant for light. Retrospective evaluation also reveals that Planck inadvertently fixed the EM measurement time (tm) at a value of one (1) second, thereby significantly limiting the time variable's degrees of freedom. Implications appear to be profound for restoring infinite degrees of freedom to the EM measurement time variable. Quantum re-interpretation using the energy constant and measurement time variable suggest conservation of energy, momentum and mass for a single oscillation of light. A deeper layer of foundations in physics may yet need to be built.
This article examines the need for a comprehensive theory that explains the creation of the universe and the enigmatic behaviours observed in quantum particles. Recent advancements in quantum physics have revealed phenomena in the microscopic and macroscopic realms that challenge conventional explanations based solely on natural laws. This article introduces an argument centred on the concept of “presence of metaphysics in physics” as a means to provide a plausible account for the improbable existence of the universe and the mechanics of the space-time continuum. By incorporating ontological principles in classical physics and quantum mechanics, this proposed model sheds light on the origins of natural laws while also considering the mysterious balance and intricacies observed in micro and macrocosms. Moreover, this article argues that a mere succession of random events guided by mathematical probabilities cannot adequately establish and govern the natural laws that appear to have arisen with the aim of fostering life within the universe.
The proposed revision of SI units would embed Planck?s constant into the definition of the kilogram, as a fixed constant of nature. Traditionally, Planck?s constant is not readily interpreted as the size of something physical, and it is generally only encountered by students in the mathematics of quantum physics. Richard Feynman?s path integral formulation of quantum mechanics allows a neat visualization of the constant as the circumference of a surveyor?s wheel for measuring action along each path, making Planck?s constant a natural yardstick, almost literally. This approach is shown to have other benefits in the presentation of other basic quantum phenomena.