Sunday, May 28, 2017

Quantum Mechanics, Momentum, Position

Beginning with the proper definition of Velocity, previously discussed, one of controversial discoveries of Quantum Mechanics is easily explained.  That discovery is that both the Momentum and the Position of a particle cannot be simultaneously determined.  Now, Momentum entails Velocity, which, as has been discussed, is fundamentally an average over an interval, even if that property is routinely glossed as instantaneous or uniform.  Thus, the concept of Velocity, and, hence, that of Momentum, has no meaning in the case where there is no interval, i. e. in an Instant.  But, the Position of a particle occurs in an Instant.  Thus, if there is Momentum, there is no specific Position, and, conversely, if there is specific Position there is no Momentum, i. e. not: Momentum = 0, but: the concept is meaningless.  This analysis applies to any Motion, so that it is first discovered at the Quantum level is likely due to the fineness of the instruments involved.

No comments:

Post a Comment