Dr Peter Riggs

Riggs, Peter profile
Position Visiting Fellow
Department Quantum Science & Technology
Research group
Email

The Structure & Experience of Time

The fundamental equations of physics do not differentiate between past and future, nor pick out a unique present moment. Yet, time in human experience seems to be inexorably slipping into the future.
 
Current research is looking to develop a new theoretical structure of time in order to bridge the gap between time as we experience it and time in physics. This is an area of multi-discipline research and employs input and ideas from:
  • relativity;
  • cosmology;
  • quantum gravity;
  • thermodynamics;
  • particle physics;
  • the philosophy of time; and
  • cognitive psychology.
 

References

‘Questioning the Emergence of Time’, Journal for General Philosophy of Science (2024).

'Free-Fall Motion and Time in General Relativity', The Physics Educator 5, 2 (2023): 2350006.

'Four-Velocity and Time in Special Relativity', The Physics Educator 4, 4 (2022): 2250017. 

‘Why 'NOW'?’, Journal for General Philosophy of Science 50, 1 (2019): 171–180.

‘The Temporal Epistemic Anomaly’, Manuscrito – Rev. Int. Fil. Campinas 41, 3 (2018): 1–28.

‘Physical Time in Perspective’, Interalia Magazine 43 (July 2018).

‘Beyond Gödel's Time’, Inference: International Review of Science 4, 1 (2018).

‘The Perceptions and Experience of the "Passage" of Time’, The Philosophical Forum 48, 1 (2017): 3–30.

‘Is There a Spatial Analogue of the Passage of Time?’, Philosophy and Cosmology 18 (2017): 12–21.

‘Contemporary Concepts of Time in Western Science and Philosophy’ in McGrath, A. and Jebb, M.-A. (eds),  Long History, Deep Time (ANU Press, Canberra, 2015).

‘What Do We Feel When We 'Feel' Time 'Passing'?’, Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research 3, 9 (2012): 1064–1073.

‘Nowness and Loss of Meaning in Tensed Propositions’, KronoScope: Journal for the Study of Time 7, 1 (2007): 79–83.

‘Spacetime or Quantum Particles: The Ontology of Quantum Gravity?’ in Riggs, P.J. (ed.), Natural Kinds, Laws of Nature and Scientific Methodology (Dordrecht: Kluwer, 1996). Also available at: <http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/1978>

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Causal Quantum Mechanics

In the Causal Theory of Quantum Mechanics (alternatively known as deBroglie-Bohm Theory), a quantum system consists of particles embedded in a physically real wave field (also called a matter wave). The wave field has a finite spatial distribution and an energy density. The presence of energy-momentum in the wave field allows the field to affect the motion of quantum particles. Substantial evidence for the objective existence of wave fields has been steadily mounting. This evidence is at odds with Orthodox (i.e. Copenhagen) Quantum Theory which ascribes no reality to quantum wavefunctions.

Current Research

Given the accumulating evidence in favour of the reality of wave fields (matter waves), it would be an important step if (practical) experimental tests could be conducted that could distinguish between the Causal Theory and Orthodox Quantum Theory.  Such a test has now been outlined (see below: 'Testing Quantum Mechanics with an Ultra-Cold Particle Trap').

References

'Testing Quantum Mechanics with an Ultra-Cold Particle Trap', Universe 7, 4 (2021): 77. Available at: <https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/7/4/77>

Quantum Causality: Conceptual Issues in the Causal Theory of Quantum Mechanics (Dordrecht: Springer, 2009).

‘A Proposed Experimental Test of Quantum Theory using the Techniques of Atom Optics’, arXiv:1411.0464 [quant-ph] (2014).

‘Energy Content of Quantum Systems and the Alleged Collapse of the Wavefunction’, arXiv:0910.2834v1 [quant-ph] (2009).  Available at:  <http://arxiv.org/abs/0910.2834>

'Reflections on the deBroglie-Bohm Quantum Potential', Erkenntnis 68, 1 (2008): 21–39.

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Special Theory of Relativity

The Special Theory of Relativity has more to reveal about the nature of the universe than is currently found in the textbooks.  The teaching of Special Relativity is also challenging, especially as it requires the common-sense notion of time to be abandoned.  The publications listed below present some new aspects of Minkowski spacetime and in addition, offer useful arguments and tools for the interactive teaching of Special Relativity:

'Four-Velocity and Time in Special Relativity', The Physics Educator 4, 4 (2022): 2250017.

'Inertia and Inertial Resistance in the Special Theory of Relativity’, Canadian Journal of Physics 99, 9 (2021): 795–798.

'Aspects of Force and Acceleration in Special Relativity', The Physics Educator 3, 4 (2021): 2150014.

'Interstellar Journeys in Human Lifetimes: Numerical Computations', Physics Education 52, 3 (2017): 033001-1 – 033001-6. (Accompanied by a spreadsheet for calculations)

'A Comparison of Kinetic Energy and Momentum in Special Relativity and Classical Mechanics', The Physics Teacher 54, 2 (2016): 80–82.

'Why a Spaceship Cannot Reach the Speed of Light from the Perspective of the Spaceship's Rest Frame',  Latin-American Journal of Physics Education 7, 4 (2013): 604–608.

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The Nature of Energy

At a basic level, energy has two forms - kinetic energy and potential energy. However, our current understanding of what constitutes energy is elementary and is dependent on concepts of mass and physical fields. This research is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the nature of energy.
 

References

'Energy and Mass Misconceptions', Physics Education 58, 3 (2023): 035015-1 – 035015-6.
 
'Inference to the Best Explanation: The Case of Potential Energy', European Journal of Analytic Philosophy 16, 1 (2020): 99–116.
 
‘Comment on 'Relativity, potential energy, and mass' ’, European Journal of Physics 40, 2 (2019): 028001-1 – 028001-5.
 
‘A Comparison of Kinetic Energy and Momentum in Special Relativity and Classical Mechanics’, The Physics Teacher 54, 2 (2016): 80–82.
 
'Motion with Non-Constant Gravitational Acceleration',  Latin-American Journal of Physics Education 5, 3 (2011): 544–547.
 
'Colliding Ice Comets and the Reality of Energy',  Physics Essays 23, 4 (2010): 621–624.
 
'Energy Content of Quantum Systems and the Alleged Collapse of the Wavefunction',  arXiv:0910.2834v1 [quant-ph] (2009).
 
Quantum Causality: Conceptual Issues in the Causal Theory of Quantum Mechanics.  Dordrecht: Springer Academic, 2009, chap.4.
 

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