Posted: Oct 06, 2011 8:57 pm
In regards to observables, Operators are used QM in the same sense that functions of the state are used in classical mechanics.
For example, in a classical mechanical model, there would be a function E(s) which represents the energy of a system, and 's' is the state of the system.
If you wish to think that operators exist and are not merely abstract objects, fine, you can do so consistently, but then you should also consider thinking of mathematical functions as real in the same sense too.
For example, in a classical mechanical model, there would be a function E(s) which represents the energy of a system, and 's' is the state of the system.
If you wish to think that operators exist and are not merely abstract objects, fine, you can do so consistently, but then you should also consider thinking of mathematical functions as real in the same sense too.