The discussion centers on the definition and understanding of proper physical quantities within the context of physics, particularly in relation to different models of reality such as Quantum Mechanics (QM) and Special Relativity (SR). The scope includes theoretical considerations and conceptual clarifications regarding how these quantities are represented and measured.
Participants present multiple competing views on the definition and representation of proper physical quantities, particularly in relation to different physical theories. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus reached.
There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the models of reality and the definitions of proper physical quantities, which may vary depending on the context and interpretation within different frameworks of physics.
special relativity, for beginers!masudr said:Under which model of reality? QM? SR? Something else?
For SR, I'd say it must at least be represented by a tensor field of some rank on spacetime.
For QM, I'd say it'd have to be represented by a Hermitian operator defined on the Hilbert space of states of the system under consideration.
A proper physical quantity of an object is the quantity (distance, time, mass) measured in the frame of reference that is at rest with respect to the object.bernhard.rothenstein said:special relativity, for beginers!
Thanks. Is the combination of proper physical quantities a proper physical quantity as well (e.g. the electric field measured in the rest frame of the charges that generates it).Andrew Mason said:A proper physical quantity of an object is the quantity (distance, time, mass) measured in the frame of reference that is at rest with respect to the object.
AM