Conservation of Energy and Mass in QM

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the application of conservation of energy and mass in quantum mechanics (QM). Participants are exploring the validity of claims regarding energy conservation in QM, particularly in relation to virtual particles.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on a claim they encountered regarding QM not conserving energy.
  • Another participant requests details about the specific claim to assess its validity.
  • It is noted that if the Hamiltonian is symmetric under time translation, then energy conservation holds.
  • A participant references a previous discussion on the topic and mentions a source discussing non-conservation of energy in virtual particles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as multiple competing views regarding energy conservation in QM are present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion may involve unresolved assumptions about the definitions of energy conservation and the role of virtual particles in QM.

yottzumm
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Please tell me how conservation of energy and mass apply in QM. I want to confirm something I read somewhere about QM not conserving energy.
 
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How about you tell us what you read, and then we can confirm whether that specific statement is valid?
 
As long as the Hamiltonian is symmetric under time translation then energy is conserved.
 
Before the experts step in and cry out "not again" :) here is a link to a thread two days ago...
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=386968

What a shame that no-one referred to my reference in Baez's site where it talks about non-conservation of energy in virtual particles.
 

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