Does Quantum Mechanics Suggest a Conservation of Possibilities?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of quantum mechanics, specifically regarding the concept of conservation of possibilities in the context of the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI). The initial superposition state, represented as ##\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}|a \rangle + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}|b \rangle##, evolves into a state where both measurement outcomes coexist in separate worlds. However, a counterargument asserts that prior to measurement, the wave function should be viewed as a single state ##|\psi\rangle##, challenging the notion of distinct possibilities and emphasizing the need for a preferred measurement basis.

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  • Understanding of quantum superposition and measurement
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  • Concept of preferred basis in quantum mechanics
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entropy1
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Suppose we have a quantum object in superposition to some measurement basis, given by: ##\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}|a \rangle + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}|b \rangle##. (1)

Suppose the measurement is made, and the system evolves, according to MWI, into ##\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}|a \rangle|W_a \rangle + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}|b \rangle|W_b \rangle##, where ##|W_x \rangle## represents the state of the measurement with result x, or the world where the measurement result has become x. (2)

So my observation is that before the measurement (1) there are two possibilities, namely ##|a \rangle## will be measured, or ##|b \rangle## will be measured, and after the measurement (2) a world where ##|a \rangle## is measured is possible and a world where ##|b \rangle## is measured is possible. In both cases both possibilities exist simultaneously. So to me this seems to be a sort of conservation of possibility, namely ##|a \rangle## or ##|b \rangle##, but transformed by measurement from one manifestation to a different one.

Is this view legitimate?
 
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entropy1 said:
Is this view legitimate?
No. Before the measurement it is wrong to think that there are precisely two possibilities. Your initial wave function can also be written as a single state ##|\psi\rangle##, which can be thought as "one possibility". The conserved number of possibilities makes sense only if you say that one basis (in your case, the basis ##|a\rangle, |b\rangle##) is a preferred basis.
 

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