Gao, Shan (2013) Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This article analyzes the implications of protective measurement for the meaning of the wave function. According to protective measurement, the mass and charge of a charged quantum system are distributed in space, and the mass and charge density in each position is proportional to the modulus squared of the wave function of the system there. It is argued that the mass and charge distributions are not real but effective; they are formed by the ergodic motion of a localized particle with the total mass and charge of the system. Moreover, the ergodic motion is arguably discontinuous and random. Based on this result, we suggest that the wave function in quantum mechanics describes the state of random discontinuous motion of particles, and at a deeper level, it represents the property of the particles that determines their random discontinuous motion. In particular, the modulus squared of the wave function (in position space) gives the probability density of the particles being in certain positions in space.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords:	protective measurement, wave function, mass and charge density, ergodic motion of particles, random discontinuous motion of particles, propensity
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	07 Jan 2013 02:18
Last Modified:	29 Dec 2013 17:36
Item ID:	9509
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	6 January 2013
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9509

Available Versions of this Item

• Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. (deposited 03 Aug 2011 13:34)
  • Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. (deposited 07 Jan 2013 02:18) [Currently Displayed]
    • Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. (deposited 29 Dec 2013 17:36)

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