Can the Bohmian Wave Function Influence Thermodynamic Trajectories?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the potential influence of the Bohmian wave function on thermodynamic trajectories, examining the relationship between quantum mechanics and thermodynamic principles. It touches on concepts such as emergence, energy conservation, and entropy in the context of both microscopic and macroscopic systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the Bohmian wave function can create particle trajectories that significantly affect macroscopic thermodynamics.
  • Another participant discusses the concept of emergence and its relation to randomness, suggesting that defining 'randomness' is complex and relates to hidden variables in quantum mechanics.
  • A third participant outlines fundamental thermodynamic principles, including energy conservation, entropy increase in natural processes, and the behavior of entropy as temperature approaches absolute zero.
  • One participant notes that in Bohmian mechanics (BM), particles do not radiate electromagnetic waves; instead, it is the wave function that radiates, raising a question about the interactions between BM particles and the wave functions of their surroundings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the Bohmian wave function for thermodynamics, with no consensus reached on its influence or the definitions of key concepts like randomness and emergence.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes unresolved questions about the definitions of randomness and the implications of Bohmian mechanics for thermodynamic interactions, as well as the dependence on interpretations of quantum mechanics.

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I know thermodynamics are the macroscopic coarse graining of microscopic degrees of freedom (like temperature and Brownian motion). But is there a case where let's say the bohmian wave function can create trajectories of particles that can control the macroscopic thermodynamics or has significant effect?
 
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First: When energy passes into or out from a system, the system's internal energy changes in accord with the law of conservation of energy.
Second: In a natural thermodynamic process, the sum of the entropies of the interacting thermodynamic systems increases.
Third: The entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature approaches absolute zero.
 
In BM, the particles don't radiate em wave as they move.. it is the wave function in BM that radiates.

But in thermodynamics.. is it the BM particles that hit the walls or the BM wave function hitting the BM wave function of the walls?
 

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