Understanding the Moon's Position: Relativity and Uncertainty

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In summary, the conversation discusses how special and general relativity can explain the position of the moon from the Earth's reference system, taking into account the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. The participants also mention the role of quantum mechanics in measuring the moon's position and the negligible effects of relativity and quantum mechanics on the moon's observable position. They also mention the influence of light travel time on the moon's apparent position.
  • #1
Erdem
how special and the general relativity explains the position of moon from the Earth reference system taking also into account the Heisenberg uncertaintity problem.
when we look at the moon from the Earth what is the indeed position of it. what is the error.
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by Erdem
how special and the general relativity explains the position of moon from the Earth reference system taking also into account the Heisenberg uncertaintity problem. when we look at the moon from the Earth what is the indeed position of it. what is the error.

This doesn't have anything to do with relativity: you can ask the same question in non-relativistic quantum mechanics, or relativistic quantum field theory. This is just an issue of quantum mechanical measurement. Skipping the issue of what constitutes a "measurement", quantum mechanics says that the Moon does have a definite position if we measure its position.
 
  • #3
One might ask, what more can be proved to exist than the quantum object of one's immediate measurement?

If h were set to zero, though, the moon would be observed to obey ultimately geometrodynamics, of all our remaining theories. Measurement would then be a process of continuous action and reaction rather than a statistical correlation between discrete quanta.
 
  • #4
The moon is moving much too slowly, relative to the earth, for any relativistic effects to be noticable. The moon is much to large for quantum effects to be noticable. The moon is exactly where it appears to be!
 
  • #5
what, just over the treetops? :wink:
 
  • #6
Hmmm, when I looked it was just below the treetops! Is this a quantum or relativistic effect?
 
  • #7
I can't see the moon from the trees! (As a matter of fact, it's all dark.)
 
  • #8
It is in a slightly diffrent position because the light takes time to reach us... but like they said the quantum effects would probably be to small to make the moon appear were it is not...
 
  • #9
Your understanding of physics is quite off. First off, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle has absouloutly nothing to do with the moon. Secondly, GR and SR and about 100 years after Newton figured the rotation of the moon.
 

1. What is the moon's position relative to the Earth?

The moon's position relative to the Earth is constantly changing due to the Earth's rotation and the moon's orbit around the Earth. However, on average, the moon is about 238,855 miles away from Earth.

2. How does the theory of relativity affect our understanding of the moon's position?

The theory of relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, explains that the laws of physics are the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This means that our understanding of the moon's position is relative to our frame of reference and can be affected by factors such as the Earth's rotation and the moon's orbit.

3. What is meant by the concept of uncertainty in relation to the moon's position?

Uncertainty refers to the fact that we cannot know the exact position of the moon at any given moment due to factors such as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which states that the more precisely we know the position of a particle (such as the moon), the less precisely we know its momentum and vice versa.

4. How do scientists measure the moon's position with such uncertainty?

Scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to measure the moon's position, such as telescopes, radar, and spacecraft. These methods allow for measurements of the moon's position with a certain degree of precision, but there will always be some level of uncertainty due to the limitations of our technology and the laws of physics.

5. Can our understanding of the moon's position change over time?

Yes, our understanding of the moon's position is constantly evolving as we develop new technologies and theories. For example, the development of the theory of relativity and advancements in space exploration have greatly expanded our understanding of the moon's position. As our knowledge and technology continue to improve, our understanding of the moon's position will likely become more precise and accurate.

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