What causes quantum uncertainty?

In summary, quantum uncertainty is caused by observables not commuting, specifically position and momentum. This is due to the symmetry found in chapter 3 of Ballentine's QM - A Modern Approach. The reason for this symmetry and its relationship to classical mechanics is not fully understood, but it is believed that Feynman's Path Integral approach may play a role.
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Ampulla
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What causes quantum uncertainty? My friend who's working for Apknite says that detectors are not the cause of wave collapse, because you are measuring something that isn't remaining in the same state.
 
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  • #2
Ampulla said:
What causes quantum uncertainty?
Mother nature.
 
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The cause of quantum uncertainty is unknown, and cannot be answered at the present state of science.
 
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atyy said:
The cause of quantum uncertainty is unknown, and cannot be answered at the present state of science.

It's caused by observables not commuting. Why do say position and momentum not commute? The answer is symmetry as can be found in chapter 3 of Ballentine - QM - A Modern Approach. The hidden assumption is it proves certain observables defined by symmetry have exactly the same relationships as classical physics. Taking Erenfest's Theorem into account it makes sense to define these operators as their corresponding classical quantities. To bring the correspondence into logical order you define momentum and position operators as the quantum operators found from symmetry, then say the corresponding quantities from Erenfest is their definition classically. So the question is why does symmetry and the above logic lead to exactly the same definition found in classical mechanics? I am not sure the exact reason is known, but we have some very advanced QM experts that post here who may be able to elucidate it further. My suspicion is Feynman's Path Integral approach has something to do with it.

Thanks
Bill
 
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1. What is quantum uncertainty?

Quantum uncertainty, also known as Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that states that the more precisely one property of a particle is measured, the less precisely another property can be known. This means that it is impossible to know the exact position and momentum of a particle at the same time.

2. What causes quantum uncertainty?

Quantum uncertainty is caused by the inherent probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. At the quantum level, particles do not have definite properties until they are observed or measured. This uncertainty is not due to limitations in our measurement tools, but rather a fundamental property of the universe.

3. How does quantum uncertainty affect our everyday lives?

Quantum uncertainty is typically only observed at the microscopic level and does not have a significant impact on our everyday lives. However, it is essential for understanding and predicting the behavior of particles and atoms, which are the building blocks of our world.

4. Is quantum uncertainty the same as randomness?

No, quantum uncertainty is not the same as randomness. While it may seem random to us, quantum uncertainty is a fundamental property of the universe and follows specific mathematical laws. Randomness, on the other hand, is a lack of predictability and does not follow any specific laws.

5. Can quantum uncertainty be overcome?

No, quantum uncertainty cannot be overcome. It is a fundamental aspect of the universe and is not due to limitations in our measurement tools. However, scientists continue to study and explore the implications of quantum uncertainty in hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of the quantum world.

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