Helium Atoms On a Newtonian Tour

2016

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This sculpture explores three helium atoms. They are frustrated by existence in a world ruled by complicated quantum mechanics, where unpredictable things always happen. The three have decided to take a vacation tour in the Newtonian world. The math there is much easier, and maybe things will be more predictable.

 

In the Newtonian world they link together and follow their orange tour guide through the Newtonian view of mechanics. Rotation and equilibrium at rest is refreshingly predictable. But wait: at slow speed things become chaotic!

 

In this kinetic sculpture, the chaotic motion of three mutually balanced, offset pendulum rotors represents individual helium atoms with two electrons each.

 

In quantum mechanics, unpredictability of an atom’s motion is due to random processes. In the Newtonian world, unpredictability of certain types of motion is due to unrepeatable initial conditions.

 

The helium atoms conclude their Newtonian tour with a lesson: Whether they live under quantum mechanics or Newtonian mechanics, unpredictability is sometimes just inescapable.