Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
9742857 Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 2005 10 Pages PDF
Abstract
In Bohmian mechanics elementary particles exist objectively, as point particles moving according to a law determined by a wavefunction. In this context, questions as to whether the particles of a certain species are real-questions such as, Do photons exist? Electrons? Or just the quarks?-have a clear meaning. We explain that, whatever the answer, there is a corresponding Bohm-type theory, and no experiment can ever decide between these theories. Another question that has a clear meaning is whether particles are intrinsically distinguishable, i.e., whether particle world lines have labels indicating the species. We discuss the intriguing possibility that the answer is no, and particles are points-just points.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Physics and Astronomy Physics and Astronomy (General)
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