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Quantum Mechanics
What are the principle tenets of quantum mechanics, and their supportive
evidence? Principle ideas are bulletted; supporting evidence is emphasized
subsequently.
- Spatial and temporal distribution of particle properties is characterized
by a probability distribution, the wave function, which evolves
according to a Hamiltonian that defines the potential field in which the
particle moves.
Hydrogen spectra. Consideration of the relative phase of the wave functions
might cast some light on orbital angular momentum.
- Particles have intrinsic angular momentum, or spin, that is quantized in
units of ½ of Planck's constant.
Atomic motion in a magnetic field.
Atomic state transitions through photon excitation and emission.
- Fermions, with half-integral spin, will not occupy a state already occupied
by another fermion of the same type.
Energy levels of multi-electron atoms.
- Bosons, with integral spin, can have more than one instance in the same
state.
Helium-4, black-body radiation.
- Particle interactions are localized and discrete.
Electron and photon self-interference, and particularly the two-slit
experiment. Of particular interest is the Bohm-Ahramov measurement, which shows
that the wave function can be modified by changing the potential field, even if
no classical force is exerted on the electrons.
- "Wave-function collapse" - conservation laws, notably for angular
momentum, may be resolved over distances and times that appear to violate
relativistic causality.
Einstein-Rosen-Podolsky paradox. However, there are arguments that the
experimental studies manifest ensemble statistics, rather than quantum
uncertainty.
Quantum entanglement and quantum computing. Again, a caveat that this is
taken as manifesting theories of a multiverse that I find confounding.
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