What is Interpretations: Definition and 143 Discussions

An interpretation of quantum mechanics is an attempt to explain how the mathematical theory of quantum mechanics "corresponds" to reality. Although quantum mechanics has held up to rigorous and extremely precise tests in an extraordinarily broad range of experiments (not one prediction from quantum mechanics has been found to be contradicted by experiments), there exist a number of contending schools of thought over their interpretation. These views on interpretation differ on such fundamental questions as whether quantum mechanics is deterministic or stochastic, which elements of quantum mechanics can be considered real, and what the nature of measurement is, among other matters.
Despite nearly a century of debate and experiment, no consensus has been reached among physicists and philosophers of physics concerning which interpretation best "represents" reality.

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  1. J

    Can a Runner Accelerate to Finish a 10,000 Meter Race in Time?

    Please interpret this problem as you will. My professor and I seem to have different interpretations of this problem. A runner hopes to complete the 10, 000 meter run in less than 30 minutes. After exactly 27.0 minutes, there are still 1100 meters to go. For how many seconds must then the...
  2. M

    Many Worlds interpretations and Groundhog Day

    I'm hoping that this is considered on topic, as (for me) it might help me to understand some of the implications of the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. And, an interesting movie. Probably some of you remember "Groundhog Day" (1993) staring Bill Murray as Phil Connors. He...
  3. zimo

    Two lenses problem, multiple interpretations, no true answer

    Homework Statement Two lenses, with 20cm focals are in 1m distance from each other. A body is located 60cm from the right lens.Homework Equations I figured that the relevant equation should be: \frac{n1}{u} + \frac{n2}{v} = \frac{n2 - n1}{r} but perhaps a I'm wrong. The Attempt at a Solution...
  4. F

    What causes the random decay of atoms in different interpretations?

    What causes the "random" decay of atoms in different interpretations? I'd like proponents of each interpretation to explain what their interpretation says about this issue? What happens/causes radio active decay? I know that atleast dBB and MWI needs to have a deterministic answer to this...
  5. V

    Different Variants of Different Interpretations

    Before I joined this forum. I thought there are only one intepretation and naturaly one variant.. but I learned now there are different variants to each of different interpretation. Let me mention what I learned so far these past weeks mentioning only the major variants by mostly Nobel Laurettes...
  6. D

    QM Interpretations: Popularity & Desirability

    I didn't want to hijack somebody else's thread, so thought I would start a new one for this. There are several interpretations/formulations of QM: Copenhagen, TSQM, MWI, and others. Which one currently has the most favor within the physics community? Why Which one currently has the...
  7. maverick_starstrider

    Interpretations of Quantum for a Graduate Student

    Hi, I'm a physics PhD student who is a little curious about interpretations of quantum mechanics (specifically Aharanov's Time-Symmetric theories and Relational interpretations, but others as well). I am interested specifically only in interpretations that are valid in QFT (I can't say I...
  8. A

    Quantum Vacuum (or QFT) Interpretations

    Hi, Quantum Mechanics has so many Interpretations like Many Worlds, Bohmian, etc. How come we seldom hear about Interpretations in Quantum Field Theory? Is there something in the quantum vacuum ontology that cancel out all the Interpretations? Or is it also valid? For example, in Many Worlds...
  9. Monique

    Look up dream interpretations?

    Do you guys know some good websites to look up dream interpretations? I was just searching through Google and couldn't find any website that looked reasonable. Last night I had a nightmare about a tiger chasing me up flights of stairs and even up on ladders, apparently that means that I have...
  10. N

    Interpretations of QM: Benefits & Insights

    Hi I been reading on some of the different interpretations of QM (Many Worlds, Copenhagen, polit wave, etc.), and I still can't figure it out: Are these interpretations beneficial to QM? Have we ever gained any new insight from these?
  11. Jonnyb42

    Anthropic Principle Interpretations

    Ok so I am writing a physics "research" paper over any topic we like. The one requirement is that the intro must be about the Anthropic Principle. I have searched it all over the internet and have found it hard to understand what the heck it is talking about. (I am not into this kind of thing...
  12. ZapperZ

    Teaching and understanding of quantum interpretations in modern physics courses

    It took me a while to finish reading http://prst-per.aps.org/abstract/PRSTPER/v6/i1/e010101" {you can get free access to the paper}, and I still don't have a clear idea of it rather than the conclusion that stated that if the instructor doesn't make any explicit discussion on the interpretation...
  13. K

    QM Interpretations and the Measurement Problem

    In order to stop hijacking https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=361216", I'll restart a discussion here about the role of background assumptions and the conceptual aspects of scientific theories, in particular how the "measurement problem" fits in with quantum mechanics and its...
  14. G

    Best Book on the Interpretations of Quantum?

    What is the best book that covers all the various interpretations of quantum mechanics? Thanks
  15. D

    Interpretations of quantum eraser experiment

    Hi My interpretation of how observing the double slit experiment removes the interference pattern was that when (for example) an electron interacts with a photon, the electron is forced to be "at" that position, collapsing it's wavefunction. Then as the electron continues on towards the...
  16. D

    The Debate on Quantum Interpretations: MWI, CI, and BM

    Would it be accurate to say MWI is holding strong in the preferred interpretation, CI is dying out (if not dead already), and BM is continuing to be accepted by more researchers (or better yet, it is being studied by more physicists now more than ever)?
  17. C

    QM Interpretations: Most Popular & Why?

    The following are the interpretations of QM: Bohmian · CCC · Consistent histories · Copenhagen · Ensemble · Hidden variable theory · Many-worlds · Pondicherry · Quantum logic · Relational · Transactional Which is the most accepted by the theoretical physics community? Obviously all have...
  18. A

    Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

    Which interpretation of QM do you like?
  19. jambaugh

    Interpretations (Continued Discussion)

    I'm starting this thread to continue a tangential discussion of interpretations, specifically Bohmian vs Copenhagen from https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=324790". As a class of phenomena "Yes" of course. As an object "No", nor do I believe in the existence of "The Universe" as a...
  20. P

    Human observer & cosmological interpretations

    Hi! This is my first time on here and my first post. I don't do professional work in this field but it has been a keen interest of mine over the years. Anyway, if someone can share some insights, I would really appreciate it greatly! Given the divide between classical physics and quantum...
  21. M

    Historical interpretations - where can I find sources?

    Hi, I have to write an essay for a class and I'm a little overwhelmed. My topic of choice is how different cultures and societies interpret historical events. (For example, how do the Japanese interpret WWII in comparison to how we interpret WWII?) It's somewhat of a research paper, but I have...
  22. T

    Quantum Interpretations: Exploring the Validity of Non-Local and Local Models

    I was gassing away on another forum about how quantum mechanics was non-local and so on, and someone said he didn't believe it was, and that other interpretations with local or hidden variables were more valid, this seems converse to what I'm learning. Consider me a Student of physics with a...
  23. B

    Books about interpretations of QM

    I just finished my master's degree in physics so I'm reasonably familiar with QM, but something that wasnt taught to me in any detail was the different interpretations of QM. So I'm sfter some book recommendations - I am looking for something that explains in a fair amount of detail the main...
  24. C

    Quantum Interpretations history

    With all the different quantum interpretations out there, which is your favourite or "most likely to be true" ? I have a real hard time making up my mind about these things, it all reminds me of different religions trying to prove the unproveable. EVERYONE is disagreeing, new evidence get...
  25. M

    Do Quantum Mechanics Interpretations Challenge Classical Views of Reality?

    I'm writing an essay on the description of nature QM affords us, and hence I want to discuss the different interpretations of it. (My questions are mainly conceptual rather than anything else, so I thought this would be better here than the homework help forum?) First of all, a couple of points...
  26. E

    About interpretations and logic

    Hello everyone ! I want to ask you something and I hope you think your answer and not just reply with an orthodox foundation. I'm not another Einstein's enemy, I believe in SR but sometimes I just can't imagine some situations... Look at this: I will use the famous twin paradox because it is...
  27. M

    Mobius Transformations and Geometric Interpretations

    Homework Statement a) Show that you can split any transformation into a Translation, Dilation-Rotation, Inversion, and Translation. b) Show using part a) that any straight line or circle is send to a straight line or circle when applying the mobius transformation. Homework Equations...
  28. S

    Memetics of Quantum Mechanical Interpretations

    Hi All, I have been thinking of applying the ideas in Richard Dawkin's Selfish Gene and the ideas of Evolutionary Biology based on the Darwinian principles to model QM interpretations as some kind of genes which fight for survival in an interpretation pool, I have written an article...
  29. D

    The Near Death Experience, Out of Body Exp and their ontological interpretations

    I'm interested in hearing other peoples thoughts about the NDE and OBE. I shared my idea about it in another thread hoping to start a debate, but it got somewhat lost, so I think its a good idea to start a separate thread. What do you think about the reality of the NDE and what it (could)...
  30. Robert100

    Interpretations of QM? What is nature really like?

    What is quantum mechanics actually telling us about the way that nature works, the way nature "really is" deep down at the bottom? In Nick Herbert's book "Quantum Reality" he discusses eight schools of thought; would anyone would care to comment on the reasonableness of any of these ideas...
  31. N

    A proof that all signal local theories have local interpretations.

    This post is motivated by some of the discussion on the "Is QM inherently non-local" thread. The goal is to demonstrate that there is a local hidden interpretation possible for any signal local theory. This interpretation will be Bell local, but not Bell realistic. So, let's say we have a set...
  32. G

    Ranking of Quantum Mechanics interpretations?

    Is there somewhere something like a ranking of the different interpretations of Quantum Theory, from the most widely embraced by physicists to the least? Something like physicists voting in a poll ...
  33. honestrosewater

    Interpretations and structures

    A few lingering questions... Suppose an interpretation is an assignment of capital letters to declarative sentences. I see that assigning the same letter to more than one sentence limits the usefulness of your interpretation, but is it ever useful or necessary to assign more than one letter...
  34. S

    Questions on genetics: gene co-ordinate systems and gene interpretations

    I am curious to know how cells in developing organisms can know which direction to grow in, how much tissue is required and in what proportion, and how to differentiate to the right cells. If we just take the first issue, which is directional growth, I remember from my O-level biology classes...
  35. C

    What are the interpretations of QM and do they have any problems?

    Hi Everyone, I am compiling a list of all the interpretations of QM and to later put on a website with detailed information on all of them and if they have any problems, etc. Here is my list so far. I would appreciate if anyone had any to add or if you find any that aren't interpretations or...
  36. C

    QM Interpretations: Get In-Depth Analysis

    ...
  37. humanino

    Many minds : interpretations of QM

    Only three choices are selected in the poll, because otherwise too many options would be needed. Those reflect the main different interpretations in my understanding, while minor subtleties might be preferred by some physicists. Please vote for your favorite. The main difference between one...
  38. humanino

    Many minds : interpretations of QM

    Please vote for your favorite interpretation of QM. If you prefer another or your own, please describe it.
  39. C

    Quantum Gravity Theory and Interpretations of QM

    I was wondering once a consistent quantum gravity theory would be devised (I have in mind especially string theory or loop quantum gravity) what would happen to quantum mechanics interpretations. Would these all be abandoned? Would a new interpretation come up? I mean by this for example...
  40. D

    Do any of these interpretations conflict with what is physically observed

    I was wondering if an expert in quantum physics can clarify a couple of things for me. I read this in the Wikipedia: This seems to suggest that are at least five different interpretations of quantum mechanics, each one the result of eliminating one of the five properties listed above...
  41. G

    Line Integral Interpretations: Physical and Geometric Uses

    I understand that an example of a physical interpretation of the line integral of a scalar function with respect to arc length \int_C f(x,y,z)ds might be the total mass of a wire where f describes the linear density of the wire. But can anybody give an example of a physical or geometric...
  42. Loren Booda

    Loren Booda: Interpretations of QM?

    My personal, "observer-object" interpretation (Configuration Complementarity at [PLAIN]www.quantumdream.net[/URL]):
  43. T

    QM Interpreations: How Many & Which is Best?

    I just wanted to ask How many interpretations of QM are there and which one is considered best by the scientific community? P.S.: Is there need for any QM interpretation et all?
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