Is completeness synonymous with hidden variables in QM?

In summary, there is a fundamental difference in interpretations of quantum mechanics between those who believe that it is incomplete and those who believe that it is complete.
  • #1
jake jot
302
17
In one of the Insights. Either QM is incomplete (because we only have access to probabilities in conventional experiment) or there are Many Worlds. I want to pick incompleteness.

But in Einstein context of it. Incompleteness means there were hidden variables.

Is there another meaning of incompleteness nothing to do with hidden variables (whether local or aspect correlated)?
 
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  • #2
jake jot said:
In one of the Insights.

Which one?
 
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  • #3
PeterDonis said:
Which one?

Does the following imply hidden variables? (or is there problem or issue of incompleteness that is not hidden variables?)

The Fundamental Difference in [URL="https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/fundamental-difference-interpretations-quantum-mechanics/"]Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics (physicsforums.com)[/URL]

"For #1, the obviously true part is that we can never directly observe the state, and we can never make deterministic predictions about the results of quantum experiments. That makes it seem obvious that the state can’t be the physically real state of the system; if it were, we ought to be able to pin it down and not have to settle for merely probabilistic descriptions. But if we take that idea to its logical conclusion, it implies that QM must be an incomplete theory; there ought to be some more complete description of the system that fills in the gaps and allows us to do better than merely probabilistic predictions. And yet nobody has ever found such a more complete description, and all indications from experiments (at least so far) are that no such description exists; the probabilistic predictions that QM gives us really are the best we can do."

Source https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/fundamental-difference-interpretations-quantum-mechanics/
 
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  • #4
jake jot said:
Does the following imply hidden variables?

No. Read the last sentence of what you quoted.
 
  • #5
PeterDonis said:
No. Read the last sentence of what you quoted.

I wasn't inquiring whether hidden variables should exist. I was inquiring whether it is possible to have complete theory that doesn't have to do with hidden variables. For example. We would still have the probabilistic predictions but there is a more complete theory.
 
  • #6
jake jot said:
I was inquiring whether it is possible to have complete theory that doesn't have to do with hidden variables.

We don't know.
 
  • #7
PeterDonis said:
We don't know.

Since that pretty much covers what can be said on the topic, this thread is closed.
 

1. What is completeness in the context of quantum mechanics?

Completeness in quantum mechanics refers to the idea that the mathematical formalism of the theory is able to fully describe and predict all possible outcomes of a quantum system. This means that there are no hidden variables or unknown factors that could affect the behavior of the system.

2. What are hidden variables in quantum mechanics?

Hidden variables are hypothetical, unknown quantities that are thought to underlie the behavior of quantum systems. They are not accounted for in the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, and their existence is a topic of ongoing debate and research in the field.

3. Is completeness synonymous with determinism in quantum mechanics?

No, completeness and determinism are not synonymous in the context of quantum mechanics. Completeness refers to the ability of the theory to fully describe and predict outcomes, while determinism is the idea that all events are predetermined and there is no randomness in the universe.

4. How does the concept of completeness relate to the uncertainty principle?

The uncertainty principle, a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics, states that certain pairs of physical properties, such as position and momentum, cannot be simultaneously known with arbitrary precision. This is not a limitation of the theory's completeness, but rather a fundamental property of quantum systems that arises from the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics.

5. Are there any experiments or evidence that support the idea of hidden variables in quantum mechanics?

There have been numerous experiments and studies conducted to test the existence of hidden variables in quantum mechanics, but to date, no conclusive evidence has been found. Some theories, such as the pilot-wave theory, propose the existence of hidden variables to explain certain phenomena, but these theories are still highly debated and not widely accepted in the scientific community.

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