Undergrad How does the quantum of action cause indeterminism?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the role of Planck's constant, or the quantum of action, in causing indeterminism within quantum mechanics. It is established that non-determinism arises not from Planck's constant itself, but from the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, which contrasts with deterministic classical mechanics. The conversation highlights the inadequacy of the standard mathematical formulation of quantum theory in predicting specific outcomes, instead providing probabilities for various results. Participants suggest resources for further understanding, including Giancarlo Ghirardi's "Sneaking a Look at God's Cards" and Ballentine's "Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Approach."

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics fundamentals
  • Familiarity with Planck's constant and its significance
  • Knowledge of classical mechanics principles
  • Ability to interpret mathematical formulations in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Read Giancarlo Ghirardi's "Sneaking a Look at God's Cards"
  • Study Ballentine's "Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Approach"
  • Explore the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the implications of probabilistic outcomes in quantum theory
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, researchers in quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the philosophical implications of indeterminism in scientific theories.

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How and/or why does the existence of the quantum of action (Planck's constant) cause indeterminism?
 
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pholmes said:
How and/or why does the existence of the quantum of action (Planck's constant) cause indeterminism?
Who said it did?
 
pholmes said:
How and/or why does the existence of the quantum of action (Planck's constant) cause indeterminism?
It doesn't.
Non-determinism appears in quantum mechanics because the standard mathematical formulation of the theory doesn't calculate "what happens" the way that for example Newton's three laws allow us to calculate what happens to an object subject to various forces. Instead the laws of quantum mechanics calculate the probability of various outcomes, but which one we actually get is random.

A good layman-friendly introduction to the theory is Giancarlo Ghirardi's book "Sneaking a look at God's cards"; better but more mathematically demanding would be a college-level textbook or even Ballentine's "Quantum Mechanics: A modern approach".
 
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Sadly, the OP likes starting threads in a controversial fashion, and then not participate. I would suggest we hold off on putting a lot of effort into this until he clarifies Peter's point.
 
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@pholmes my post #2 was a request for a reference. If you cannot provide a reference that makes the claim you are asking about in your OP, then we don't have a valid basis for discussion.
 
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I apologize. I found the reference where I thought it said that, and it doesn't really say that. I searched at length and failed to find any other reputable site on the internet that said that. This is only the 2nd thread I have started. I'll keep the quality up in the future.
 
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pholmes said:
I found the reference where I thought it said that, and it doesn't really say that. I searched at length and failed to find any other reputable site on the internet that said that.
Ok. In view of that, this thread is closed.
 
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