Can the Feynman Path Integral Account for Two Non-Interacting Particles?

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SUMMARY

The Feynman Path Integral can be applied to analyze two non-interacting particles, although their wave functions remain independent of each other. In scenarios where only mass and velocity are considered, the existence of a second particle does not alter the path integral of the first particle. The classical path for a free particle remains a straight line unless external forces are introduced. Thus, in the absence of interactions, the path integrals for each particle effectively ignore the presence of the other.

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  • Understanding of Feynman Path Integral formulation
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and wave functions
  • Familiarity with concepts of non-interacting particles
  • Knowledge of classical mechanics regarding particle motion
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Is there such a thing as a Feynman Path Integral for two non-interacting particles? I find myself wondering how the wave function of a single particle is changed in the presence of a second particle. The Feynman path integral takes into account every possible path that a particle can take. So what would happen if there is another particle in the vicinity of the first? If both particles are only accounted for by their mass and velocity (no other forces or potentials), then how would the wave function of the first particle be changed by the mere existence of a second particle? Would the path integral of each simply ignore the existence of the other? Or would they interfere with each other in some way?
 
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friend said:
Is there such a thing as a Feynman Path Integral for two non-interacting particles? I find myself wondering how the wave function of a single particle is changed in the presence of a second particle.
Normally the path integral for a free particle from a starting point to the ending point is a straight line in flat space. But if the presence of another particle interferes in some way, then I suppose the classical path would have to change to something more curved, right?
 
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