Quantum tunnelling discovered in emeraldsA whole new state of the water molecule forbidden by classi

Quantum tunnelling discovered in emeraldsA whole new state of the water molecule forbidden by classical physics (and not conforming to any of the standard phases of matter ie solid, liquid, gas or plasma) has been discovered using advanced techniques called neutron scattering combined with computer modelling at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The water is tightly confined in tiny hexagonal channels a mere 5 angstroms wide (an atom is roughly one angstrom aka 1/10-billionth of a metre) tightly held in by the bonds of the crystal lattice of beryls (as you know, emerald is the green variety coloured by chromium and/or vanadium). Within the lattice a phenomenon known as delocalisation appeared, where the electrons and protons go ‘fuzzy’ as they tunnel, creating unexpected peaks in the spectra which were then revealed to be due to each atom being in multiple places simultaneously.The experiments were run at low temperatures, and the water was seen to move through separating potential walls, which is not possible using classical physics as the model for the universe (remembering that in all scientific disciplines, the map that we make is not the territory). While hard to explain why in non mathematical language, the hydrogen and oxygen atoms were in six places at once (as induced by the hexagonal lattice of the beryl), proving some of the more bizarre assertions of quantum mechanics. This discovery may apply to other things under similar confinement, such as water in cells and cell wall channels and rocks (at grain junctions for example where odd recrystallisation phenomena occur in cooling lavas and metamorphic rocks), and may reveal something new and unexpected. Follow this space…While we all know that the rules applicable to the very small are somewhat odd (to say the least), delocalisation involves Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and whether one has chosen to observe the 'thing’ in question as a particle or a wave. Basically you can tell where a particle is, or where it is moving, but you cannot measure (though perception might be possible) a gestalt of the particle/wave and its motion. The atoms making up the water were seen to be (paraphrasing the unspeakable) neither here nor there and simultaneously in six places at once… remember that when you look at a crystal, since it is likely that they’re all thrumming multidimensionally before your very eyes.The beauty in the photo comes from the edge of the Himalayas in China’s Yunan province, and the two crystals are set in a quartz rich matrix. The specimen measures 7.5 x 6.0 x 5.1 cm.LozImage credit: Rob Lavinsky/iRocks.comhttp://bit.ly/1TtljVMPress release: http://1.usa.gov/1VOisuEOriginal paper, paywall access: http://bit.ly/231dWYl -- source link

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