Viruses and Quantum Mechanical Spreading

[Domnu]

I was just wondering if viruses experenced quantum mechanical spreading... if we represent a virus by a wave packet, we have that (assuming that the density of a virus is, say, 300 kg/m^3)...

$$a = 10 nm, m = \pi * a^3 * 300 = 9.43 \cdot 10^{-22} kg$$

Now, after a period of time, $$\tau$$ where

$$\tau = 2ma^2/ \hbar$$

, a wave packet experiences significant quantum mechanical spreading. But here, $$\tau = 0.001787 s$$! What exactly does this mean? Does this mean we have major difficulties locating viruses at a particular time and place (we can see them through electron microscopes...)? What exactly does quantum mechanical spreading refer to?

 

[malawi_glenn]

where does the equation
$$\tau = 2ma^2/ \hbar$$
come from?

 

[denian]

I can say that viruses do not experience quantum mechanical spreading in the same way that particles or wave packets do. The concept of quantum mechanical spreading refers to the uncertainty in the position and momentum of a particle or wave packet, as described by Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. This means that the more precisely we know the position of a particle, the less we know about its momentum, and vice versa.

In the context of viruses, this uncertainty does not apply in the same way. Viruses are not bound by the laws of quantum mechanics, as they are not considered to be particles or wave packets. Instead, they are considered to be biological entities that can be observed and studied through traditional scientific methods, such as electron microscopy.

The calculations provided in the content above may be relevant for understanding the physical properties of a virus, but they do not accurately represent the behavior or spread of a virus. The spread of viruses is influenced by factors such as transmission methods, host immunity, and environmental conditions, rather than quantum mechanical principles.

In conclusion, while the concept of quantum mechanical spreading may be interesting to consider in relation to viruses, it does not have a significant impact on the behavior or spread of these biological entities. As scientists, we must rely on established scientific principles and methods to study and understand viruses.