Naslov
Classical mechanics without determinism

Autori
Nikolić, Hrvoje

Izvornik
Foundations of physics letters (0894-9875) 19 (2006), 6; 553-566

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
classical mechanics ; determinism ; nonlinear Schrodinger equation

Sažetak
Classical statistical particle mechanics can be represented by a nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Even without assuming the existence of deterministic particle trajectories, the resulting quantum-like statistical interpretation is sufficient to predict all measurable results of classical mechanics. The usual deterministic particle trajectories existing even when they are not measured play a role of unmeasured hidden variables analogous to the Bohmian hidden variables in ordinary quantum mechanics. It is argued that linearity is a crucial property that allows the formulation of a measurement in terms of an effective wave-function collapse. In the classical case, the wave function that satisfies a linear equation is real, which is the main source of the fundamental difference between classical and quantum mechanics.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Fizika

POVEZANOST RADA