Can All Particles of a Cat Be in Superposition Simultaneously?

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The discussion centers on the concept of decoherence and its implications for macroscopic objects, particularly in relation to quantum superposition. Participants debate whether all particles of a macroscopic object, like a cat, can simultaneously exist in superposition, emphasizing that decoherence occurs rapidly, preventing observable superpositions. It is clarified that while decoherence leads to apparent collapse into a mixed state, superpositions still exist at a fundamental level, though they do not manifest in observable interference effects. The conversation also touches on the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, where macroscopic objects appear to have definite states despite underlying superpositions. Ultimately, the consensus suggests that while superpositions are theoretically present, practical observations of macroscopic objects reveal them in definite states due to constant decoherence.
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durant35 said:
What do you exactly mean or on what did you refer when you mentioned this amount of time?

I thought I was explicit. You can resolve the Schroedinger's Cat paradox in a number of ways. One way is you consider the cat and nucleus as an entangled system. But its not as good a model as I have been discussing which is closer to what's going on - although it probably has some explanatory advantages. At all times the classical objects the cat, the detector, the table etc etc are classical because they are always interacting with the environment.

The time came from your concern, that has been addressed in a number of threads you participated in, that because the time or interference terms or whatever is theoretically not exactly zero. It was pointed out very very small quantities can be taken as zero. But even after that it worried you. Hopefully you now understand its a non issue. As I said in one of those threads some get caught up in it. If you do then I can't help you because the whole decoherence program falls to pieces and I will not be drawn into arguing it.

Thanks
Bill
 
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