Most Important Question in Physics

The most important question in physics

5 August 2008

We have seen the universe evolve through quantum phase transitions since the big bang resulting from the freezing out of forces and particles with the drop in temperature resulting from expansion.

One of the biggest phase transitions was the electroweak phase transition where particles got their masses. Research on this area of universe evolution is going on at the Large Hadron proton proton collider at CERN Switzerland. They are looking for the God particle. 

Another phase transition was the quantum chromodynamic phase transition where quarks and gluons got stuck together from a plasma state and formed the nuclei of atoms.

There is another possibility I believe proposed by Stephen Hawkins and that is that the universe may undergo yet another phase transition in its evolution to the end game. Please correct me if I am wrong or didn't understand.

What form this might take if so and what it means for us are profound and vital questions.

It occurs to me that the properties of matter are profoundly changed near absolute zero and if such a transition takes the entire universe there, we will lose our home in the cosmos.

To my weak and feeble barely comprehending quantum physics mind this would be the end of us for how could we bear such a state. I think it would mean that we were consumed back into the energy fields that we emerged from and went back to being part of the eternal energy we so desire to understand.

Can yet another phase transition happen, will it happen and under what circumstances can it occur? I believe that it can and will for universes have beginnings and so they must have endings. What will it look like? Will it be the unravelling of all matter or the condensational collapse of all energy? 

This is to me the most important question in physics. We only exist because of the grace of these transitions in the phase we are in because it is life friendly by serendipity alone. How grateful we should be for this golden moment in time to savour the sweet fragrance and delicate touch and sweet beauty of life and love.

Jormawankenobe

© 2008 J. Jyrkkanen