- #1
SLSPS
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- TL;DR Summary
- Questions about the position of the particle
How is it possible for a particle to be in two different states/places at the same instant?
Questions about the position of the particle
In summary, a particle can only have determinate positions when we observe it, and it can be in multiple places at the same time depending on how we measure it.
- #2
anuttarasammyak
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It would be possible for a particle to have indeterminate positions at a time when you do not see it. https://static01.nyt.com/images/2006/12/03/books/YAGO600SPAN.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp
- #3
Vanadium 50
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It's not,SLSPS said:
- #4
Nugatory
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Although you’ll often hear it described that way, quantum mechanics doesn’t really say that a particle is in two places at once. Unfortunately, knowing what it does say requires a fair amount of math so people will often fall back on this misleading “two places at once” story when they’re trying to explain QM to a non-technical audience.SLSPS said:
It would be more accurate to say that the particle isn’t anywhere unless and until we measure its position.
- #5
strangerep
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Are you sure you don't want to work on that sentence a bit more?Nugatory said:
- #6
anuttarasammyak
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At time t between the two observations of particle positions, probability amplitude or wave function or state vector of the particle is defined in all the space as ##\psi(\mathbf{r},t)## the normalization property of which is
[tex]\int \int \int \psi(\mathbf{r},t)^* \psi(\mathbf{r},t) dV=1[/tex]
I am not good at literature how to describe this situation in daily words, e.g. the particle has no position, the particle exists but without position, the particle has multiple positions or the concept of particle position is not applicable here.
[tex]\int \int \int \psi(\mathbf{r},t)^* \psi(\mathbf{r},t) dV=1[/tex]
I am not good at literature how to describe this situation in daily words, e.g. the particle has no position, the particle exists but without position, the particle has multiple positions or the concept of particle position is not applicable here.
- #7
SLSPS
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Thanks. I understoodNugatory said:
FAQ: Questions about the position of the particle
What is the position of a particle?
The position of a particle refers to its location in space at a particular moment in time. It is typically described using a coordinate system, such as Cartesian coordinates, and can be measured in terms of distance and direction from a reference point.
How is the position of a particle measured?
The position of a particle can be measured using various methods, depending on the situation. In general, it involves determining the distance and direction of the particle from a reference point using tools such as rulers, protractors, or GPS devices.
What factors can affect the position of a particle?
The position of a particle can be affected by a variety of factors, including external forces, such as gravity or friction, and the particle's own properties, such as mass and velocity. Additionally, the position of a particle can change over time due to its motion or interactions with other particles.
How does the position of a particle relate to its velocity?
The position and velocity of a particle are closely related. Velocity is the rate of change of position over time, so the position of a particle can be determined by integrating its velocity over a given time interval. Similarly, the velocity of a particle can be determined by differentiating its position with respect to time.
Why is the position of a particle important in science?
The position of a particle is important in science because it is a fundamental aspect of understanding the behavior and interactions of objects in the physical world. By accurately measuring and tracking the position of particles, scientists can make predictions and gain insights into various phenomena, from the motion of planets to the behavior of subatomic particles.