QQC
"Atoms are so numerous and necessary that we easily overlook that they needn't actually exist at all."
This quote raises so many question's for me; why aren't they needed, why do we have so many, how is there enough atoms to fill this universe, and why is there no law that governs why atoms are here? Yes we need atoms to create everything in our physical world, but why are they made the way they are? Why are atoms structured in such a way as to be able to create physical masses? Something that I find interesting is that even though they fill our universe, you can't see every single one. One question that just popped into my mind was, does anyone actually know how many atoms there are in the known universe?
'Why aren't they needed.' That's the same question I have from reading this quote. Also, what would happen if they didn't exist...? There is no answer for these questions so far(I don't think). So it's so frustrating to try to think about all of these questions, when there isn't really a satisfying answer for them yet.
ReplyDeleteA quick point: They needn't actually exist at all, because (were the big bang true, a point I contest) the big bang might not have produced atoms. In fact, the big bang might did not need to produce anything. It could have remained as a single point, or it could have simply produced tons of energy in whatever form it wanted. I think that was the point Bryson was aiming for. Of course the need to exist, but only for our present structure of the universe.
ReplyDeleteGood questions and commentary. Beth please make sure that your website is accessible from the HTHMA site. You should speak with Josh Berret.
ReplyDelete