Physicists created a tiny universe where time emerged without a clock
Physicists at the University of Birmingham have created a quantum system that demonstrates how time can emerge from the internal relationships of particles rather than an external clock. Using ultracold atoms, the experiment simulated a mini-universe to test theories about the fundamental nature of time.
Why it matters
This research provides experimental evidence for theoretical physics models suggesting time is not a fundamental feature of the universe, potentially reshaping our understanding of reality.
A physicist at the University of Birmingham has created a laboratory "mini universe" that brings scientists a step closer to answering one of the biggest questions in physics: What is time?
In a study published in Physical Review Research , Professor Giovanni Barontini demonstrates that it is possible to measure the passage of time without relying on a clock. Instead, the experiment shows that a version of time can emerge naturally from the behavior of a quantum system itself.
Why Some Physicists Think Time May Not Be Fundamental
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in