What is passive locality ? Bell's Theorem.

In summary, "passive locality" is a term introduced by Nelson in 1986 in discussions with Bell regarding classical realism. It distinguishes between "active" and "passive" locality, with Bell's theorem requiring both. Despite recent discussions, the meaning and implications of this concept remain unclear.
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harrylin
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What is "passive locality"? Bell's Theorem.

In a current thread about explaining Bell's theorem, the question of "passive locality" came up.

"Passive locality" was introduced by Nelson in 1986. After discussions with Bell he distinguished between "active" and "passive" locality, arguing that for classical realism only active locality is required. Apparently Bell's theorem needs both.

Regretfully I don't manage to understand what it means, let alone the consequences for a good understanding of Bell's Theorem. Even recent follow-up discussions don't make it clear to me... :confused:

Can anyone explain it in clear, simple English?

- Nelson's original paper:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1986.tb12456.x/abstract

- Recent follow-ups:
http://arxiv.org/abs/0807.3369 Annalen der Physik (Berlin) 18, No. 4, 231 (2009)
http://arxiv.org/abs/0910.4740 Annalen der Physik, 523: n/a. doi: 10.1002/andp.201010462
http://arxiv.org/abs/0910.5660

Harald
 
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  • #3
Hi Greg!
Wow that's a long time ago. Regretfully I didn't find more insight on that topic.
In fact, the whole Bell theorem issue remains one of the greatest riddles to me - and I had forgotten about that subtle point. Thanks for reminding me of it! :-)
 
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Likes Greg Bernhardt

1. What is passive locality?

Passive locality is a concept in quantum mechanics that describes the idea that the measurement of one particle should not affect the measurement of another particle, even if they are physically separated.

2. How does passive locality relate to Bell's Theorem?

Bell's Theorem is a mathematical proof that shows how passive locality cannot hold true in quantum mechanics. It demonstrates that the measurement of one particle does, in fact, influence the measurement of another particle, even if they are separated by large distances.

3. Can you give an example of passive locality in action?

An example of passive locality would be flipping two coins, one in New York and one in Los Angeles, and expecting the results of the two flips to be independent of each other.

4. Why is passive locality important in quantum mechanics?

Passive locality is important because it is a fundamental principle that governs how particles behave in quantum mechanics. It has implications for our understanding of the universe and how particles interact with each other.

5. How does the violation of passive locality impact our understanding of reality?

The violation of passive locality highlights the strange and non-intuitive nature of quantum mechanics, where particles can have seemingly instantaneous connections with each other regardless of distance. It challenges our traditional understanding of reality and has implications for how we view the fundamental workings of the universe.

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