--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a Newtonian world, all physical…" description: "\"“In a Newtonian world, all physical quantities, like energy and spin, can take on any values whatsoever. They range over the entire continuum of number..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/john-d-barrow-4552_high-fidelity_in-a-newtonian-world-all-physical-quanti_2213692.jpg" --- # In a Newtonian world, all physical quantities, like energy… ![“In a Newtonian world, all physical quantities, like energy and spin, can take on any values whatsoever. They range over the entire continuum of numbers. Hence, if one were to form a 'Newtonian hydrogen atom' by setting an electron in circular orbit around a single proton then the electron could…” quote by John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/john-d-barrow-4552_high-fidelity_in-a-newtonian-world-all-physical-quanti_2213692.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/john-d-barrow-4552_high-fidelity_in-a-newtonian-world-all-physical-quanti_2213692.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/john-d-barrow-4552_high-fidelity_in-a-newtonian-world-all-physical-quanti_2213692.jpg) > ““In a Newtonian world, all physical quantities, like energy and spin, can take on any values whatsoever. They range over the entire continuum of numbers. Hence, if one were to form a 'Newtonian hydrogen atom' by setting an electron in circular orbit around a single proton then the electron could move in a closed orbit of any radius because it could possess any orbital speed. As a result, every pair of electrons and protons that came together would be different. The electrons would find themselves in some randomly different orbit. The chemical properties of each of the atoms would be different and their sizes would be different. Even if one were to create an initial population in which the electrons' speeds were the same and the radii of their orbits identical, they would each drift away from their starting state in differing ways as they suffered the buffetings of radiation and other particles. There could not exist a well-defined element called hydrogen with universal properties, even if there existed universal populations of identical electrons and protons. Quantum mechanics shows us why there are identical collective structures. The quantization of energy allows it to come only in discrete packets, and so when an electron and a proton come together there is a single state for them to reside in. The same configuration arises for every pair of electrons and protons that you care to choose. This universal state is what we call the hydrogen atom. Moreover, once it exists, its properties do not drift because of the plethora of tiny perturbations from other particles. In order to change the orbit of the electron around the proton, it has to be hit by a sizeable perturbation that is sufficient to change its energy by a whole quantum packet. Thus the quantization of energy lies at the root of the repeatability of structure in the physical world and the high fidelity of all identical phenomena in the atomic world. With the quantum ambiguity of the microscopic world the macroscopic world would not be intelligible, nor indeed would there be intelligences to take cognisance of any such a totally heterodox non-quantum reality.”” [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Quantum quantization ensures that particles occupy discrete energy levels, creating identical atoms and repeatable physical phenomena. **In simple terms:** Quantized energy makes atoms identical. Key Takeaway Recognize that discrete rules create consistency. Themes physics quantum mechanics identity structure repeatability Mood curious analytical inquisitive Type scientific explanatory philosophical When to use this quote - chemistry labs - materials engineering - nanotechnology - education - fundamental research Key Concepts energy quantization atomic stability fundamental constants Questions to Reflect On - How does quantization affect macroscopic properties? - What would happen if energy were continuous? A Different Perspective Quantum effects can be disrupted by extreme conditions, limiting perfect repeatability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atoms Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atoms-different-3321704/) [High fidelity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-fidelity/) [Identical Electrons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identical-electrons-4912057/) [Newtonian Hydrogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/newtonian-hydrogen-4912056/) [Phenomena Atomic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phenomena-atomic-4153015/) [Protons Quantum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protons-quantum-4912058/) [Quantum mechanics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum-mechanics/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) ## Related quotes > [Moreover, the abundance of chemical compounds and their importance in daily life hindered the chemist from investigating the question, in what does the individuality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-stark/moreover-the-abundance-of-chemical-compounds-and-their-importance-in/) [Johannes Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-stark/) > [Many scientists will have to contribute to the solution of the great problem; they will have to follow up and measure all those phenomena…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-stark/many-scientists-will-have-to-contribute-to-the-solution-of-the-great/) [Johannes Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-stark/) > [Working out another system to replace Newton's laws took a long time because phenomena at the atomic level were quite strange. 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As is customary in this kind of operation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilder-penfield/a-neurosurgeon-once-told-me-about-operating-on-the-brain-of-a-young/) [Wilder Penfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilder-penfield/) > [I was 17 and just learning what high fidelity was, what good sound was, and learning the mechanics of tape machines. It was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-parsons/i-was-17-and-just-learning-what-high-fidelity-was-what-good-sound-was/) [Alan Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-parsons/) > [Every purchasing decision involves a trade-off between what I call fidelity and convenience. Fidelity is the total experience of something - how great the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/every-purchasing-decision-involves-a-trade-off-between-what-i-call/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [In the long run magazines can't be a convenience play - the Web has stolen that. So magazines have to be high fidelity -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/in-the-long-run-magazines-can-t-be-a-convenience-play-the-web-has/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [If you want to stand out, find a way to be either high fidelity or high convenience in whatever you do. If you're halfway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/if-you-want-to-stand-out-find-a-way-to-be-either-high-fidelity-or/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [I didn't really want to write about music very much in 'High Fidelity.' I wanted to write about the relationship stuff, and the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-didn-t-really-want-to-write-about-music-very-much-in-high-fidelity/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [All designed tools and objects are sort of extensions of human abilities, and they do tend to make life richer for us. But, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-papanek/all-designed-tools-and-objects-are-sort-of-extensions-of-human/) [Victor Papanek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-papanek/) > [We have the ability, at such high fidelity, to simulate the physical world through computers. But when the spiritual world or human behavior comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-aldrin/we-have-the-ability-at-such-high-fidelity-to-simulate-the-physical/) [Buzz Aldrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-aldrin/) > [If you spot a market where the only choices are at either one end or the other - high fidelity or high convenience -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/if-you-spot-a-market-where-the-only-choices-are-at-either-one-end-or/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [I am a pathetic and gushing Nick Hornby fan, and I wanted to be in High Fidelity, and I wanted to be in About…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-am-a-pathetic-and-gushing-nick-hornby-fan-and-i-wanted-to-be-in/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) ## More by John D. Barrow > [“One of Nature's deep secrets is the fact that the outcomes of the laws of Nature do not have to possess the same symmetries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/one-of-nature-s-deep-secrets-is-the-fact-that-the-outcomes-of-the/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“The effect of the 'time becomes space' proposal is that there is no definite moment or point of creation. In more conventional quantum mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/the-effect-of-the-time-becomes-space-proposal-is-that-there-is-no/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“Humans are distinguished further by the highly effective way in which they have pooled the individual intelligence of single individuals to produce a collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/humans-are-distinguished-further-by-the-highly-effective-way-in-which/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [We can predict the present without having to know everything about the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/we-can-predict-the-present-without-having-to-know-everything-about/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [All our surest statements about the nature of the world are mathematical statements, yet we do not know what mathematics "is"... and so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/all-our-surest-statements-about-the-nature-of-the-world-are/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“If the deep logic of what determines the value of the fine-structure constant also played a significant role in our understanding of all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/if-the-deep-logic-of-what-determines-the-value-of-the-fine-structure/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“Each of us is a complicated assymetrical outcome of the laws of electromagnetism and gravity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/each-of-us-is-a-complicated-assymetrical-outcome-of-the-laws-of/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“Impressed by the success of high-level mathematics in the formulation of the general theory of relativity in 1915, we find that Einstein's life-long quest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/impressed-by-the-success-of-high-level-mathematics-in-the-formulation/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, who died in 1965, wrote of how the mere thought of the infinite led him to contemplate suicide: “A necessity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/jewish-philosopher-martin-buber-who-died-in-1965-wrote-of-how-the/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“As we look way back into the first instants of the Big Bang, we find the quantum world that we described in Chapter 3.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/as-we-look-way-back-into-the-first-instants-of-the-big-bang-we-find/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“The inclusion of just one contradiction (like 0 = 1) in an axiomatic system allows any statement about the objects in the system to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/the-inclusion-of-just-one-contradiction-like-0-1-in-an-axiomatic/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [Once upon a time when there was no time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/once-upon-a-time-when-there-was-no-time/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“Life as we know, and partially understand it, is a classical example of what can occur when a sufficient level of complexity is attained.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/life-as-we-know-and-partially-understand-it-is-a-classical-example-of/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“There is no formula that can deliver all truth, all harmony, all simplicity. No Theory of Everything can ever provide total insight. For, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/there-is-no-formula-that-can-deliver-all-truth-all-harmony-all/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [History is full of people who thought they were right -- absolutely right, completely right, without a shadow of a doubt. And because history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/history-is-full-of-people-who-thought-they-were-right-absolutely/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) [Explore all 109 John D. Barrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) ## More High fidelity quotes > [I am a pathetic and gushing Nick Hornby fan, and I wanted to be in High Fidelity, and I wanted to be in About…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-williams/i-am-a-pathetic-and-gushing-nick-hornby-fan-and-i-wanted-to-be-in/) [Olivia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-williams/) > [If you spot a market where the only choices are at either one end or the other - high fidelity or high convenience -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/if-you-spot-a-market-where-the-only-choices-are-at-either-one-end-or/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [We have the ability, at such high fidelity, to simulate the physical world through computers. But when the spiritual world or human behavior comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-aldrin/we-have-the-ability-at-such-high-fidelity-to-simulate-the-physical/) [Buzz Aldrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-aldrin/) > [All designed tools and objects are sort of extensions of human abilities, and they do tend to make life richer for us. But, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-papanek/all-designed-tools-and-objects-are-sort-of-extensions-of-human/) [Victor Papanek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-papanek/) > [I didn't really want to write about music very much in 'High Fidelity.' I wanted to write about the relationship stuff, and the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-didn-t-really-want-to-write-about-music-very-much-in-high-fidelity/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [If you want to stand out, find a way to be either high fidelity or high convenience in whatever you do. If you're halfway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/if-you-want-to-stand-out-find-a-way-to-be-either-high-fidelity-or/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [In the long run magazines can't be a convenience play - the Web has stolen that. So magazines have to be high fidelity -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/in-the-long-run-magazines-can-t-be-a-convenience-play-the-web-has/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [Every purchasing decision involves a trade-off between what I call fidelity and convenience. Fidelity is the total experience of something - how great the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/every-purchasing-decision-involves-a-trade-off-between-what-i-call/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [I was 17 and just learning what high fidelity was, what good sound was, and learning the mechanics of tape machines. It was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-parsons/i-was-17-and-just-learning-what-high-fidelity-was-what-good-sound-was/) [Alan Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-parsons/) > [“A neurosurgeon once told me about operating on the brain of a young man with epilepsy. As is customary in this kind of operation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilder-penfield/a-neurosurgeon-once-told-me-about-operating-on-the-brain-of-a-young/) [Wilder Penfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilder-penfield/) > [I have to admit to being a music snob. I think, in a parallel universe, I pretty easily could have been Jack Black's character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-g-tremblay/i-have-to-admit-to-being-a-music-snob-i-think-in-a-parallel-universe/) [Paul G. Tremblay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-g-tremblay/) > [Between me and my wife, there's this joke where I'll be doing some fun interview, and I'll get off the phone and be like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flansburgh/between-me-and-my-wife-there-s-this-joke-where-i-ll-be-doing-some-fun/) [John Flansburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flansburgh/) > [High fidelity is a rich experience, and you'll put up with terrible convenience to get it - maybe it's high cost, waiting in line,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/high-fidelity-is-a-rich-experience-and-you-ll-put-up-with-terrible/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [Flops are always disappointing, but 'High Fidelity' was devastating. Not that I thought it was going to make me a big star, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-chase/flops-are-always-disappointing-but-high-fidelity-was-devastating-not/) [Will Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-chase/) > [Tim Thornton's portrait of a pop culture obsession is so convincing that one can't help wishing that his fictional alt rock band actually existed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mcinerney/tim-thornton-s-portrait-of-a-pop-culture-obsession-is-so-convincing/) [Jay McInerney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mcinerney/) [Browse all 17 High fidelity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-fidelity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In a Newtonian world, all physical quantities, like energy and spin, can take on any values whatsoever. They range over the entire continuum of numbers. Hence, if one were to form a 'Newtonian hydrogen atom' by setting an electron in circular orbit around a single proton then the electron could move in a closed orbit of any radius because it could possess any orbital speed. As a result, every pair of electrons and protons that came together would be different. The electrons would find themselves in some randomly different orbit. The chemical properties of each of the atoms would be different and their sizes would be different. Even if one were to create an initial population in which the electrons' speeds were the same and the radii of their orbits identical, they would each drift away from their starting state in differing ways as they suffered the buffetings of radiation and other particles. There could not exist a well-defined element called hydrogen with universal properties, even if there existed universal populations of identical electrons and protons. Quantum mechanics shows us why there are identical collective structures. The quantization of energy allows it to come only in discrete packets, and so when an electron and a proton come together there is a single state for them to reside in. The same configuration arises for every pair of electrons and protons that you care to choose. This universal state is what we call the hydrogen atom. Moreover, once it exists, its properties do not drift because of the plethora of tiny perturbations from other particles. In order to change the orbit of the electron around the proton, it has to be hit by a sizeable perturbation that is sufficient to change its energy by a whole quantum packet. Thus the quantization of energy lies at the root of the repeatability of structure in the physical world and the high fidelity of all identical phenomena in the atomic world. 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