What exactly is a classical Rotator and quantum-mechanical Rotator

  • Thread starter Thread starter qbslug
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Classical
AI Thread Summary
A classical rotator is a rigid body with an angular degree of freedom and an associated angular moment of inertia, described using classical mechanics. In contrast, a quantum-mechanical rotator incorporates principles of quantum mechanics, leading to quantized energy levels and behaviors that differ from classical predictions. The quantum rotator is particularly significant for educational purposes, as it illustrates key concepts in quantum mechanics. To find energy levels in phase space for a rotator, one would typically apply quantum mechanics principles, which involve solving the Schrödinger equation for the system. Understanding both types of rotators is essential for grasping the differences between classical and quantum physics.
qbslug
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Please tell me,what exactly is a classical Rotator and quantum-mechanical Rotator.
I could use any information since I am not familiar with rotators. Also how would you find energy levels in phase space for a rotator?
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org


The plane rotator is something that has an angular degree of freedom (and an associated angular moment of inertia). You can picture it as a rigid body which has two fixed points if you want to, but that's giving more structure to it than is strictly necessary.
If you describe it classically, you have the classical rotator, if you describe it quantum-mechanically, you have the quantum mechanical rotator. It is only that last one that has any pedagogical interest.
 

Thread 'Is calling fictitious forces "not real" just about terminology?'

Hi there, im studying nanoscience at the university in Basel. Today I looked at the topic of intertial and non-inertial reference frames and the existence of fictitious forces. I understand that you call forces real in physics if they appear in interplay. Meaning that a force is real when there is the "actio" partner to the "reactio" partner. If this condition is not satisfied the force is not real. I also understand that if you specifically look at non-inertial reference frames you can...
View full post »

Thread 'Derivation of Hamilton's Principle: Questions'

I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...
View full post »

Similar threads

A Exploring Infinitesimal Rotations in Classical Mechanics
Replies
8
Views
2K
I Range of projectile launched from a non-rotating spherical planet
Replies
13
Views
1K
What Other Types of Motion Exist Beyond Translation, Rotation, and Oscillation?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Classical Rotation: Referencing Rotational Motion in Mechanics
Replies
5
Views
1K
I Mechanics of an inertial balance
Replies
6
Views
1K
A Order of rotations due to torque in 3DOF in simulations
Replies
2
Views
1K
B Sympathetic motion generated by cleaning Rubik's cube
Replies
10
Views
500
I Confused about the axis of rotation in rotational motion w/o slipping
Replies
10
Views
4K
I Confusion about adding angular velocities
Replies
4
Views
2K
I Variational Principles in Classical Mechanics (Douglas Cline)
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top