Ehrenfest's Theorem Revisited
History and Philosophy of Physics
2020-02-19 v1 Quantum Physics
Abstract
Historically, Ehrenfest's theorem (1927) is the first one which shows that classical physics can emerge from quantum physics as a kind of approximation. We recall the theorem in its original form. Next, we highlight its generalizations to the relativistic Dirac particle, and to a particle with spin and izospin. We argue that apparent classicality of the macroscopic world can probably be explained within the framework of standard quantum mechanics.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1907.02354,
title = {Ehrenfest's Theorem Revisited},
author = {H. Arodz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1907.02354},
year = {2020}
}
Comments
Article based on talk given at the XXII Krak\'ow Methodological Conference "Emergence of the Classical". Cracow, 11-12 October 2018. To appear in a special issue of "Philosophical Problems in Science"