Microscopic and macroscopic physics

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the distinction between quantum mechanics and classical physics, specifically regarding their applicability to microscopic and macroscopic phenomena. Quantum mechanics operates on a microscopic scale where probability governs measurements, while classical physics describes macroscopic events with definitive outcomes. The conversation explores the role of Signal to Noise ratio in these phenomena, suggesting that lower ratios in microscopic events contribute to the observed quantum effects, such as quantum tunneling, which are negligible at macroscopic scales due to the aggregation of random processes. The conclusion drawn is that the variance of multiple random processes diminishes the likelihood of quantum events manifesting in larger systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Mechanics principles, particularly quantum tunneling
  • Familiarity with Classical Physics concepts and measurements
  • Knowledge of Signal to Noise ratio and its implications in experimental physics
  • Basic grasp of statistical processes and variance calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of Quantum Mechanics, focusing on quantum tunneling and its implications
  • Study Classical Physics to understand the foundational differences from quantum theories
  • Explore Signal to Noise ratio in experimental setups and its effect on measurement accuracy
  • Investigate statistical methods for analyzing random processes and their variances
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental differences between quantum and classical physics, particularly in the context of measurement and probability in various scales of phenomena.

iVenky
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Quantum Mechanics seems to explain phenomenon happening on a microscopic scale, where measurements aren't definite and probability plays a role.
Classical physics explain macroscopic phenomenon where measurements are definitive without probability of that event happening.

Is it happening just because of the fact that the Signal to Noise ratio is low in a microscope event and in a macroscopic event all random processes add up to together to result in a high Signal to Noise ratio thereby reducing the probability of these weird events (like quantum tunneling for example) from happening in a macroscopic world?
For example:

If X(t) is a random process that's being measured then error percentage σx/X
if we have a new random process Y(t)=X1(t)+X2(t)...+Xn(t) and if they aren't correlated, then error percentage σy/Y=σx/(√nX), meaning the probability of that event from happening drops by √n times

Is that the reason why we see a difference in physics between microscopic and macroscopic objects?
 
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I don't quite understand what you are proposing, but the answer seems to be "no". NMR, for example, is purely quantum and can have an enormous signal to noise.
 
Sorry, if it's not clear. I was just thinking out loud based on what I read about quantum tunneling. Since there is a probability that an electron can break a potential barrier (let's call this a random process X) , I was thinking the reason why we aren't seeing such events in macroscopic scale because if you combine several such random processes the sigma or variance should become lower with respect to the macroscopic scale.
 

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