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Indistinguishability

Saunders, Simon (2013) Indistinguishability. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This is a systematic review of the concept of indistinguishability in both classical and quantum mechanics, with particular attention to Gibbs paradox. Section 1 is on the Gibbs paradox; section 2 is a defense of the concept of classical indistinguishability, that addresses (and refutes) the view that classical particles can always be distinguished by their trajectories so are distinguishable. Section 3 is on the notion of object more generally, and on whether indistinguishables should be thought of as objects at all


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
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Saunders, Simon
Additional Information: Published in 'The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Physics, R. Batterman, Oxford University Press (2013)
Keywords: entropy; Gibbs paradox; particle identity; classical indistinguishability; quantum statistics; identity of indiscernibles; extensivity
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User: simon saunders
Date Deposited: 19 Sep 2016 13:05
Last Modified: 19 Sep 2016 13:05
Item ID: 12448
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date: 2013
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12448

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