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CHAPTER 11 THE UNIFICATION OF PHYSICS

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As was explained in the first chapter, it would be verydifficult to construct a complete unified1 theory of everything inthe universe all at one go. So instead we have made progressby finding partial theories that describe a limited range ofhappenings and by neglecting other effects or approximatingthem by certain numbers. (Chemistry, for example, allows us tocalculate the interactions of atoms, without knowing the internalstructure of an atom’s nucleus2.) Ultimately, however, one wouldhope to find a complete, consistent, unified theory that wouldinclude all these partial theories as approximations, and that didnot need to be adjusted to fit the facts by picking the valuesof certain arbitrary numbers in the theory. The quest for sucha theory is known as “the unification of physics.” Einstein spentmost of his later years unsuccessfully searching for a unifiedtheory, but the time was not ripe: there were partial theoriesfor gravity and the electromagnetic force, but very little wasknown about the nuclear forces. Moreover, Einstein refused tobelieve in the reality of quantum mechanics, despite theimportant role he had played in its development. Yet it seemsthat the uncertainty3 principle is a fundamental feature of theuniverse we live in. A successful unified theory must, therefore,necessarily incorporate this principle.
As I shall describe, the prospects4 for finding such a theoryseem to be much better now because we know so much moreabout the universe. But we must beware of overconfidence -we have had false dawns before! At the beginning of thiscentury, for example, it was thought that everything could beexplained in terms of the properties of continuous matter, suchas elasticity5 and heat conduction. The discovery of atomicstructure and the uncertainty principle put an emphatic6 end tothat. Then again, in 1928, physicist7 and Nobel Prize winnerMax Born told a group of visitors to Gottingen University,“Physics, as we know it, will be over in six months.” Hisconfidence was based on the recent discovery by Dirac of theequation that governed the electron. It was thought that asimilar equation would govern the proton, which was the onlyother particle known at the time, and that would be the end oftheoretical physics. However, the discovery of the
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1 unified 40b03ccf3c2da88cc503272d1de3441c     
(unify 的过去式和过去分词)； 统一的； 统一标准的； 一元化的
参考例句：
  • The teacher unified the answer of her pupil with hers. 老师核对了学生的答案。
  • The First Emperor of Qin unified China in 221 B.C. 秦始皇于公元前221年统一中国。
2 nucleus avSyg     
n.核，核心，原子核
参考例句：
  • These young people formed the nucleus of the club.这些年轻人成了俱乐部的核心。
  • These councils would form the nucleus of a future regime.这些委员会将成为一个未来政权的核心。
3 uncertainty NlFwK     
n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物
参考例句：
  • Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
  • After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。
4 prospects fkVzpY     
n.希望，前途(恒为复数)
参考例句：
  • There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
  • They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。
5 elasticity 8jlzp     
n.弹性，伸缩力
参考例句：
  • The skin eventually loses its elasticity.皮肤最终会失去弹性。
  • Every sort of spring has a definite elasticity.每一种弹簧都有一定的弹性。
6 emphatic 0P1zA     
adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的
参考例句：
  • Their reply was too emphatic for anyone to doubt them.他们的回答很坚决，不容有任何人怀疑。
  • He was emphatic about the importance of being punctual.他强调严守时间的重要性。
7 physicist oNqx4     
n.物理学家，研究物理学的人
参考例句：
  • He is a physicist of the first rank.他是一流的物理学家。
  • The successful physicist never puts on airs.这位卓有成就的物理学家从不摆架子。
8 neutron neutron     
n.中子
参考例句：
  • Neutron is neutral and slightly heavier than the proton.中子是中性的，比质子略重。
  • Based on the neutron energy,the value of weighting factor was given.根据中子能量给出了相应的辐射权重因子的数值。
9 infinitely 0qhz2I     
adv.无限地，无穷地
参考例句：
  • There is an infinitely bright future ahead of us.我们有无限光明的前途。
  • The universe is infinitely large.宇宙是无限大的。
10 infinities c7c429f6d6793c16bc467ea427df1c7f     
n.无穷大( infinity的名词复数 )；无限远的点；无法计算的量；无限大的量
参考例句：
11 dubious Akqz1     
adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的
参考例句：
  • What he said yesterday was dubious.他昨天说的话很含糊。
  • He uses some dubious shifts to get money.他用一些可疑的手段去赚钱。
12 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地
参考例句：
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
13 unifying 18f99ec3e0286dcc4f6f318a4d8aa539     
使联合( unify的现在分词 )； 使相同； 使一致； 统一
参考例句：
  • In addition, there were certain religious bonds of a unifying kind. 此外，他们还有某种具有一种统一性质的宗教上的结合。
  • There is a unifying theme, and that is the theme of information flow within biological systems. 我们可以用一个总的命题，把生物学系统内的信息流来作为这一研究主题。
14 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的
参考例句：
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
15 strings nh0zBe     
n.弦
参考例句：
  • He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
  • She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
16 specifying ca4cf95d0de82d4463dfea22d3f8c836     
v.指定( specify的现在分词 )；详述；提出…的条件；使具有特性
参考例句：
  • When we describe what the action will affect, we are specifying the noun of the sentence. 当描述动作会影响到什么时，我们指定组成句子的名词。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
  • Procurement section only lists opportunistic infection drugs without specifying which drugs. 采购部分只说明有治疗机会性感染的药物，但并没有说明是什么药物。 来自互联网
17 cylinder rngza     
n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸
参考例句：
  • What's the volume of this cylinder?这个圆筒的体积有多少？
  • The cylinder is getting too much gas and not enough air.汽缸里汽油太多而空气不足。
18 previously bkzzzC     
adv.以前，先前（地）
参考例句：
  • The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
  • Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。
19 emission vjnz4     
n.发出物，散发物；发出，散发
参考例句：
  • Rigorous measures will be taken to reduce the total pollutant emission.采取严格有力措施，降低污染物排放总量。
  • Finally,the way to effectively control particulate emission is pointed out.最后，指出有效降低颗粒排放的方向。
20 plumbing klaz0A     
n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究
参考例句：
  • She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche. 她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。
  • They're going to have to put in new plumbing. 他们将需要安装新的水管。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 vertical ZiywU     
adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置
参考例句：
  • The northern side of the mountain is almost vertical.这座山的北坡几乎是垂直的。
  • Vertical air motions are not measured by this system.垂直气流的运动不用这种系统来测量。
22 diabetes uPnzu     
n.糖尿病
参考例句：
  • In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
  • Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。
23 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
参考例句：
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
24 restriction jW8x0     
n.限制，约束
参考例句：
  • The park is open to the public without restriction.这个公园对公众开放，没有任何限制。
  • The 30 mph speed restriction applies in all built-up areas.每小时限速30英里适用于所有建筑物聚集区。
25 shortcut Cyswg     
n.近路，捷径
参考例句：
  • He was always looking for a shortcut to fame and fortune.他总是在找成名发财的捷径。
  • If you take the shortcut,it will be two li closer.走抄道去要近2里路。
26 specified ZhezwZ     
adj.特定的
参考例句：
  • The architect specified oak for the wood trim. 那位建筑师指定用橡木做木饰条。
  • It is generated by some specified means. 这是由某些未加说明的方法产生的。
27 flatten N7UyR     
v.把．．．弄平，使倒伏；使(漆等)失去光泽
参考例句：
  • We can flatten out a piece of metal by hammering it.我们可以用锤子把一块金属敲平。
  • The wrinkled silk will flatten out if you iron it.发皱的丝绸可以用熨斗烫平。
28 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹
参考例句：
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
29 unstable Ijgwa     
adj.不稳定的，易变的
参考例句：
  • This bookcase is too unstable to hold so many books.这书橱很不结实，装不了这么多书。
  • The patient's condition was unstable.那患者的病情不稳定。
30 disturbance BsNxk     
n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调
参考例句：
  • He is suffering an emotional disturbance.他的情绪受到了困扰。
  • You can work in here without any disturbance.在这儿你可不受任何干扰地工作。
31 valid eiCwm     
adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的
参考例句：
  • His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
  • Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？
32 underlying 5fyz8c     
adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的
参考例句：
  • The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
  • This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。
33 formulate L66yt     
v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述
参考例句：
  • He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌，清楚地做了回答。
  • I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。
34 overlap tKixw     
v.重叠，与…交叠；n.重叠
参考例句：
  • The overlap between the jacket and the trousers is not good.夹克和裤子重叠的部分不好看。
  • Tiles overlap each other.屋瓦相互叠盖。
35 applied Tz2zXA     
adj.应用的；v.应用，适用
参考例句：
  • She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
  • This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。
36 postulates a2e60978b0d3ff36cce5760c726afc83     
v.假定，假设( postulate的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
  • They proclaimed to be eternal postulates of reason and justice. 他们宣称这些原则是理性和正义的永恒的要求。 来自辞典例句
  • The school building programme postulates an increase in educational investment. 修建校舍的计画是在增加教育经费的前提下拟定的。 来自辞典例句
37 mirage LRqzB     
n.海市蜃楼，幻景
参考例句：
  • Perhaps we are all just chasing a mirage.也许我们都只是在追逐一个幻想。
  • Western liberalism was always a mirage.西方自由主义永远是一座海市蜃楼。
38 accurately oJHyf     
adv.准确地，精确地
参考例句：
  • It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
  • Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。
39 random HT9xd     
adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动
参考例句：
  • The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
  • On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
40 paradox pAxys     
n.似乎矛盾却正确的说法；自相矛盾的人(物)
参考例句：
  • The story contains many levels of paradox.这个故事存在多重悖论。
  • The paradox is that Japan does need serious education reform.矛盾的地方是日本确实需要教育改革。
41 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的，直截了当的
参考例句：
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
42 advent iKKyo     
n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临
参考例句：
  • Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
  • The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。
43 randomness af1c2e393e31ba3c5a65a5ccc64d0789     
n.随意，无安排；随机性
参考例句：
  • The randomness is attributed to the porous medium. 随机性起因于多孔介质。 来自辞典例句
  • Einstein declared that randomness rather than lawfulness is the characteristic of natural events. 爱因斯坦宣称自然现象的特征为不可测性而不是规律化。 来自辞典例句
44 intervention e5sxZ     
n.介入，干涉，干预
参考例句：
  • The government's intervention in this dispute will not help.政府对这场争论的干预不会起作用。
  • Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention.许多人觉得他会反对外来干预。
45 phenomena 8N9xp     
n.现象
参考例句：
  • Ade couldn't relate the phenomena with any theory he knew.艾德无法用他所知道的任何理论来解释这种现象。
  • The object of these experiments was to find the connection,if any,between the two phenomena.这些实验的目的就是探索这两种现象之间的联系，如果存在着任何联系的话。
46 arena Yv4zd     
n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台
参考例句：
  • She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
  • He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。
47 complexity KO9z3     
n.复杂(性)，复杂的事物
参考例句：
  • Only now did he understand the full complexity of the problem.直到现在他才明白这一问题的全部复杂性。
  • The complexity of the road map puzzled me.错综复杂的公路图把我搞糊涂了。
48 underlie AkSwu     
v.位于...之下，成为...的基础
参考例句：
  • Technology improvements underlie these trends.科技进步将成为此发展趋势的基础。
  • Many facts underlie my decision.我的决定是以许多事实为依据的。

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