Jo-Jo

I have not been to find an answer to why a traveling repeats indefinitely and why the quantity remain finite. For the purposes of this explanation is it enough that I I simply accept this as the definition of a traveling wave? This is what I have used to try and get a better understanding of waves (I have not yet completed the unit): https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/mechanical-waves-and-sound It does illuminate things a bit for me, because I did not find it surprising that an instrument could react this way. It is interesting that this can be used practically. However you are correct that my question was assuming that instrument was working correctly. It is understandable that my question was not entirely clear since I was confused. Yes my question was not about the double slit experiment although Brain in the video does say that waves can be combined as in the double slit experiment. So a comparison may be drawn (?), but to be specific I was struggling with the example of what I mistakenly thought was describing the measurement two separate electrons in central park (minutes 28 - 30 into the video). I am so sorry and embarrassed! But it is one electron in the example, not two, my bad. I still would like to learn what happens when the waves combine, if some of you have not lost patience with me already! I did not find it intrusive, and would like to continue wherever it is that you may be going with the lesson. I have personally found everyone's input to be helpful.

A while back I read 30‑Second Quantum Theory and 30-Second Einstein published by Propero Books. Why these books? My fiance found them on sale after I had asked for books on string theory. I am egged on to learn about string theory not only because it fascinated me from the very first time it was described to me (that definition has since evolved a bit), but also by the fact that I have a "doppelganger" with the same first and last name as me who teaches string theory where I used to live. This is hilarious and crazy, is the professor proof that I can exist in two places? I dropped out of high school physics and chose to pursue visual art in university only because the physics teacher's idea of teaching was to point at the equation he had written on the board or to the text book. I learn by asking questions. This "other me" that did pursue physics intrigues me. I did try contacting them to see if we were somehow related, but they did not respond, if it were me I would be freaked out or think it was a joke. Since we might both cease to exist (they do not look like me to be clear) I decided to drop it and have it remain mysterious 😉. I don't have the prerequisite to take their class, and if I did what would they think! Back to the books, I understand anywhere from %50 to %80 of what I am reading if it has a lot of terms I am not familiar with. So I thought I would try another medium, the one I am apt at, the visual mediums, to brush up. But some parts of the videos seem to challenge what I thought I had gleaned from the books. So now I am trying discussion here on this forum to try and clarify what has become muddled. Suggested reading, particularly about the fundamentals as you mentioned are very much welcome. I still enjoy reading about it even if I have no idea if I am actually getting it. In the video for which I shared a link, it is stated (not word for word) that in an imaginary example the location of two electrons can be known, using an instrument to detect them. Brian then goes on to say that the waves of those two electrons can be combined. When this is done, he says something confusing happens, that the instrument becomes confused switching back and forth between the two locations. This is what I do not understand, I am hoping studiot will continue working with me so I can fully understand what happens when waves are combined. I apologize to all in advance, I am a slow learner.

1) Above the solid line (vertical axis) is the peak of the wave. Where the waves are largest are the places where the electrons are most likely to be, and below less likely, and not at all at the lowest point (or does that only apply to interference, not a single wave?). The horizontal axis shows the width of the wave. If you have a certain amount of the locations (x and y) you can graph the wave (show/determine it's curvature)? One can also see the wave cycle. 2) Based on the snippet I have just read, a traveling wave is moving (along the horizontal axis), like the ripples we see in water. A standing wave is created when two waves of equal height travel in opposite directions. Do they need to be traveling at the same speed too for this occur? I do not yet understand how the medium can cause interference. Yes, thank you. I will try to see if I can get a copy of that book through my library. I now need to learn more about what happens when waves are combined.

I am new to this forum and forums in general. Please let me know if I am not following the rules, or have posted to an incorrect topic. I did search before posting, but please let me know if I missed a thread that answers this. I have done a little bit of reading about the ideas behind Quantum Physics, but am definitely A BEGINNER and do not understand the formulas behind them at this time (I am not yet sure how to start tackling that part). I am looking to get the basics of the ideas involved. It is likely that I will use terms incorrectly, and I welcome polite explanations of my mistakes. I will also ask questions in different ways, so please know I am not being argumentative or trying debunk answers or think I know better. I can get caught in incorrect ideas and confuse myself and sometimes need to slash them from multiple angles so I can move on to the next step of learning. I recently searched on youtube to see if what I thought I had learnt in the past about quantum theories was correct, and maybe learn about more recent developments. I watched a few videos with Brian Greene, his approach seems good for a beginner like myself. In the video "Chasing Quantum Realities -- Brian Greene" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXdSktsE8pY about 27 minutes in he talks about how waves can be combined...and I hit a snag and I know I am fundamentally misunderstanding something. Question: If the locations of two electrons are known, and you combine their wave shapes, why is it surprising that the the detector would flip back and forth between the two locations? Are they not still two separate electrons with two locations?