* Dan Minette ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote: > In reletivistic quantum mechanics, this is stated as "Spacelike operators > must commute." So, going back to our example of two spin 1/2 particles in > a spin zero state, if we have call the operator for measuring the spin of > particle 1: A and the operator for measuring the spin of particle 2: B, we > find that if we perform A then B on the wavefunction BA(|+-> + > |-+>)/sqrt(2) one gets |+-> half of the time and |-+> half of the time. > (the operator closest to the ket (which is what |>s are called) operates > first. If we perform B then A, we obtain exactly the same results. There > is no difference in the results if you perform A then B or B then A. So, > the operators do commute.
I have my doubts whether anyone who hasn't taken quantum mechanics could follow that paragraph. But I imagine serious quantum-less people could follow the rest of the post. Except that no one said anything...hmmmm > All of these hits are basically non-lethal. It was still possible in the > '50s and early '60s to consider his hidden variable theory something that > would be a theory of real observables once we probed a bit deeper. But, > there was a big development in the mid-60s that eliminated hidden variable > theories from serious consideration. That will be in the next installment. Ah, EPR coming? Are you saving these for your forthcoming _Physics for Poets_ book? -- Erik Reuter http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
