many of the most basic questions in quantum physics still don’t really have answers. We say electrons don’t fall into protons because of energy levels and move on, but then an electron and a positron do collapse and turn into photons, so the story clearly isn’t finished. We talk about negative-energy bands, point to the Dirac equation, and accept the result — but none of this truly explains why nature chose this structure and not another. Nothing in the math forbids atoms from being ten times larger or smaller; the equations would still work. These aren’t black-hole or Big Bang mysteries — they’re everyday atomic questions we stopped asking because “it works” became good enough.
pajuhaan•2h ago
I have a challenge for you,
many of the most basic questions in quantum physics still don’t really have answers. We say electrons don’t fall into protons because of energy levels and move on, but then an electron and a positron do collapse and turn into photons, so the story clearly isn’t finished. We talk about negative-energy bands, point to the Dirac equation, and accept the result — but none of this truly explains why nature chose this structure and not another. Nothing in the math forbids atoms from being ten times larger or smaller; the equations would still work. These aren’t black-hole or Big Bang mysteries — they’re everyday atomic questions we stopped asking because “it works” became good enough.