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arXiv · 1904.04117

The experiment paradox in physics

Michał Eckstein·Paweł Horodecki
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Abstract

Modern physics is founded on two mainstays: mathematical modelling and empirical verification. These two assumptions are prerequisite for the objectivity of scientific discourse. Here we show, however, that they are contradictory, leading to the `experiment paradox'. We reveal that any experiment performed on a physical system is - by necessity - invasive and thus establishes inevitable limits to the accuracy of any mathematical model. We track its manifestations in both classical and quantum physics and show how it is overcome `in practice' via the concept of environment. We argue that the scientific pragmatism ordains two methodological principles of compressibility and stability.

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Michał Eckstein, Paweł Horodecki. 2019-04-05. The experiment paradox in physics. https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.04117

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