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Why the wavefunction already is an object on space

Stoica, Ovidiu Cristinel (2024) Why the wavefunction already is an object on space. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Since the discovery of quantum mechanics, the fact that the wavefunction is defined on the 3n-dimensional configuration space rather than on the $3$-dimensional space seemed uncanny to many, including Schrödinger, Lorentz, and Einstein. Even today, this continues to be seen as an important problem in the foundations of quantum mechanics.

In this article it will be shown that the wavefunction already is a genuine object on space. While this may seem surprising, the wavefunction has no qualitatively new features that were not previously encountered in the objects known from Euclidean geometry and classical physics. This will be shown to be true also in Felix Klein's Erlangen Program. This fits naturally in the classification of quantum particles by the representations of the spacetime isometries realized by Wigner and Bargmann, adding another layer of confirmation. Once we realize that all quantum experiments take place in space, they can be interpreted naturally and consistently with the wavefunction being an object on space.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Stoica, Ovidiu Cristinelholotronix@gmail.com0000-0002-2765-1562
Keywords: Wavefunction on space;symmetries;Euclidean geometry;Erlangen Program;Wigner classification;
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Foundations
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User: Ovidiu Cristinel Stoica
Date Deposited: 14 Feb 2024 03:18
Last Modified: 14 Feb 2024 03:18
Item ID: 23078
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Foundations
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date: 12 February 2024
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23078

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