Why is the smallest energy transfer in quantum measurement uncontrollable?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter gianeshwar
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Energy transfer
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of indeterminacy in quantum measurement, specifically focusing on the smallest energy transfer and its implications. Participants explore whether this indeterminacy is linked to energy transfer, action, or if it stems from the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics itself.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the root cause of indeterminacy in quantum measurement is the irreducible and uncontrollable process of energy transfer via the emission or absorption of a single photon.
  • Another participant argues that indeterminacy is unrelated to the smallest energy transfer.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that it might be more accurate to consider "action" as having a minimum rather than energy transfer.
  • One participant mentions that the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics is a postulate and speculates about the possibility of a deeper deterministic theory underlying quantum mechanics, referencing Bell's Theorem as a point of interest.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between indeterminacy and energy transfer, with no consensus reached on the correct interpretation or explanation.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on assumptions about the nature of quantum mechanics and the definitions of terms like "energy transfer" and "action," which may not be universally agreed upon.

gianeshwar
Messages
225
Reaction score
14
Dear Friends!
Root cause of indeterminacy in quantum measurement process is that the smallest energy transfer happens via the emission or absorption of a single photon,an irreducible and uncontrollable process.
I want to understand it more convincingly.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No, indeterminacy has nothing to do with smallest energy transfer.
 
Rather than the energy transfer, would it be correct to say that it is the "action" that has a minimum?
 
Jilang said:
Rather than the energy transfer, would it be correct to say that it is the "action" that has a minimum?

No, that's not right either.
 
gianeshwar said:
I want to understand it more convincingly.

There are a bunch of threads here on quantum indeterminacy which will give you the details.

The quick answer, however, is that the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics is a postulate. It is possible that there is some deeper deterministic theory underneath quantum mechanics (similar to the way that a tossed coin appears to land heads or tails at random, but in fact its trajectory is deterministic and could in principle be calculated from Newtob's laws and the initial conditions). However, googling for "Bell's Theorem" will quickly convince you that if such a deeper theory exists, it will be no less weird than QM.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
536
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
6K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K