We believe that time flows smoothly, like a river from the present to the future - but scientists say that it is not. According to quantum physicists, time is measured in discrete units. They believe that "static" units of time overlap and create the impression of the passage of time, like the flickering of frames in a film or pages in a book.
The theory assumes that time travel is possible if a discrete fixed point in time exists and can be accurately determined in the future.
In 1990, scientists put forward the theory of Planck's constant, named after the German theoretical physicist Max Planck. The theory describes the behavior of particles and waves at the atomic level, and breaks down time into the smallest possible units equal to 10-43 seconds. This limit means that there are no two events that can be separated from each other for less time than this.
However, new studies that have been conducted at the universities of Waterloo and Lethbridge, Canada, claim there is a much larger magnitude compared to the minimum time unit. If true, then the existence of such a minimal time could completely change the basic equations of quantum mechanics. This means that understanding the existence of the universe on a very small scale may have to be revised.
"This is possible if the minimum time scale in the universe is much larger than Planck time, and this can be verified experimentally," said Mir Feisal of the University of Waterloo. Since the Planck time is negligible, no experiment is able to prove it for sure.
But Feisal says there are a number of tests that confirm the existence of a much larger unit of time than Planck time, such as measuring the rate of spontaneous emission of a hydrogen atom. The new equation of quantum mechanics predicts different rates of spontaneous emission, which could help determine Planck time.
According to scientists, time has a crystalline structure, consisting of discrete, regularly repeating segments. Therefore, the perception of time is so similar to flow.
“The physical universe is actually like a movie, in which a series of still images creates the illusion of movement,” said Feisal. "If we take this point of view seriously, then our conscious experience of physical reality based on continuous movement becomes an illusion generated by a discrete basic mathematical structure."
Promotional video:
This sentence points to the idealistic nature of physical reality, he said, referring to Plato's argument that true reality exists independently of us. "However, unlike other theories of Platonic idealism, our proposal can be tested experimentally."