Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

European Journal of Physics

Quantum mechanical Earth: where orbitals become orbits

David D. Keeports

Published Sep 11, 2012• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Macroscopic objects, although quantum mechanical by nature, conform to Newtonian mechanics under normal observation. According to the quantum mechanical correspondence principle, quantum behavior is indistinguishable from classical behavior in the limit of very large quantum numbers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an example of the correspondence principle appropriate for an undergraduate quantum mechanics course by showing that Earth conforms to quantum mechanics while it orbits the Sun. It is argued that the planarity of Earth's orbit implies that the quantum numbers l and m l are equal and very large. It is additionally shown that for Earth in its orbit, the quantum number n is relatively indistinguishable from l and m l . Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the very large common value for the three quantum numbers implies a spatial probability distribution for Earth that is consistent with its actual distribution. In other words, the wavefunction of Earth, whose orbit will be assumed for simplicity to be circular, is consistent with a planar orbit with all angles within the plane equally probable and with a precisely defined Earth–Sun distance.

DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/33/6/1587

Related papers

Quantum Guiding Equation Can Determine Classical Behavior of Earth for Large Quantum Numbers

Ali Soltanmanesh, Afshin Shafiee

For quantum systems, we expect to see classical behavior at the limit of large quantum numbers. Hence, we apply Bohmian approach to describe the Earth evolution around the Sun. We obtain possible trajectories of the Earth system with different initial conditions which converge to a definite stable orbit after a given time, known as the Kepler orbit. The trajectories have resulted from the guiding $p=\nabla S$ equation in Bohmian mechanics which relates the momentum of the system to the phase part of the wave function. Except for some special situations, Bohmian trajectories are not Newtonian in character. We show that the classical behavior of the Earth can be described as the consequence of the guiding equation at the limit of large quantum numbers.

•Jan 15, 2018•0 citations

Quantum Mechanics of the Solar System

L. Acedo, Matemática Multidisciplinar

According to the correspondence principle, as formulated by Bohr, both in the old and the modern quantum theory, the classical limit should be recovered for large values of the quantum numbers in any quantum system. However, this classical limit of quantum theory is not so straightforward as in the interface of other generalizations of classical mechanics and other domains. In particular, relativistic kinematics and mechanics reduce to Newtonian equations by simple algebra in the case of bodies moving with small velocities compared to the speed of light in vacuum. In this paper we consider the correspondence limit to the two-body problem in gravitational physics, the limit in which both the principal and the angular quantum numbers, N, L are very large. In this limit, we compare with the classical elliptical orbits and we find that the macroscopic coherent quantum states correspond to the statistical average of every classical state compatible with conservation laws for the total energy and angular momentum. We also consider the perturbed Kepler problem with a central perturbation force proportional to the inverse of the cube of the distance to the central body. The exact solution for the quantum eigenstates shows that the first order perturbation to the energy eigenvalues are obtained classically as the temporal orbital average of the perturbation potential.

•Jan 1, 2014•1 citation

Towards Quantum Mechanics

Amita Dua, Chayannika Singh

The results of Bohr model can be used to explain the motion of macroscopic objects or big objects (like orbiting planets and sun, falling stone etc.). These macroscopic objects have essentially a particle nature and Newtonian laws of motion can be applied on them. But it fails when applied to explain the motion of microscopic objects or small objects (like electrons, atoms, molecules etc.). This is because: According to Bohr model, an orbit is a well-defined path and this path can completely be defined only if both the position and velocity of the electron are known exactly at the same time. But this is not possible according to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Thus, Bohr model contradicts the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle . According to Bohr model, an electron is regarded as a charged particle moving in well-defined circular orbits concentric about the nucleus. The wave character of the electron is not considered. Thus, Bohr model ignores the de-Broglie dual nature of matter .

CRC Press eBooks•Mar 15, 2024•2 citations

Towards Quantum Mechanics

Amita Dua

The results of Bohr model can be used to explain the motion of macroscopic objects or big objects (like orbiting planets and sun, falling stone etc.). These macroscopic objects have essentially a particle nature and Newtonian laws of motion can be applied on them. But it fails when applied to explain the motion of microscopic objects or small objects (like electrons, atoms, molecules etc.). This is because: According to Bohr model, an orbit is a well-defined path and this path can completely be defined only if both the position and velocity of the electron are known exactly at the same time. But this is not possible according to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Thus, Bohr model contradicts the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle . According to Bohr model, an electron is regarded as a charged particle moving in well-defined circular orbits concentric about the nucleus. The wave character of the electron is not considered. Thus, Bohr model ignores the de-Broglie dual nature of matter .

CRC Press eBooks•Nov 6, 2025•0 citations

Understanding the relation between classical and quantum mechanics: prospects for undergraduate teaching

Marco Di Mauro, A. Drago, Adele Naddeo

Abstract Classical and quantum mechanics are two very different theories, each describing the world within its own range of validity. It is often stated that classical mechanics emerges from quantum mechanics in a certain limit. This is known as the correspondence principle. According to Planck’s version of the correspondence principle, classical mechanics is recovered when the limit in which a dimensionless parameter containing Planck’s constant h goes to zero is taken, while Bohr’s version entails taking the limit of large quantum numbers. However, despite what is usually stated in textbooks, the relation between the two theories is much more complex to state and understand. Here we deal with this issue by analysing some key examples, in some of which also the analogously subtle relation between wave and geometric optics is considered. Implications for quantum mechanics teaching at undergraduate level are carefully discussed.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Mar 1, 2024•0 citations

Research Progress on the Schrödinger Equation that can Describe the Earth’s Revolution and its Applications

Dr. Runsheng Tu

People believe that the Schrödinger equation cannot be used to describe macroscopic objects like the Earth, and Newtonian mechanics cannot be used to describe microscopic systems. The old concept of the relationship between the existing laws of quantum mechanics and classical mechanics undoubtedly has a serious impact on people’s understanding of the natural world, the development of physics theories, and the application of existing physics theories. The continuous development of physics theory requires constant changes to some incorrect old concepts. The Schrödinger equation that can describe planetary motion was successfully obtained by replacing the potential energy in the Hamiltonian operator from electromagnetic interaction potential energy to gravitational interaction potential energy. If the distance between the sun and the earth is approximated as a constant, the energy eigenvalues obtained by solving the Schrödinger equation for the Earth’s revolution are completely consistent with the results obtained directly using classical mechanics. The direct significance of establishing and applying such equations is that they can simultaneously use classical mechanics and wave dynamics to describe all objects (no longer limited by the mass of the objects), simplifying the calculation process of quantum mechanics. It has been proven that classical mechanics and wave dynamics are compatible. It has been proven that classical mechanics and wave dynamics are compatible, and there is no insurmountable gap between them. This result has a huge positive impact on the theoretical updates and applications of quantum mechanics.

London Journal of Research in Science Natural & Formal•Jan 22, 2025•0 citations
Macroscopic objects, although quantum mechanical by nature, conform to Newtonian mechanics under normal observation. According to the quantum mechanical correspondence principle, quantum behavior is indistinguishable from classical behavior in the limit of very large quantum numbers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an example of the correspondence principle appropriate for an undergraduate quantum mechanics course by showing that Earth conforms to quantum mechanics while it orbits the Sun. It is argued that the planarity of Earth's orbit implies that the quantum numbers l and m l are equal and very large. It is additionally shown that for Earth in its orbit, the quantum number n is relatively indistinguishable from l and m l . Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the very large common value for the three quantum numbers implies a spatial probability distribution for Earth that is consistent with its actual distribution. In other words, the wavefunction of Earth, whose orbit will be assumed for simplicity to be circular, is consistent with a planar orbit with all angles within the plane equally probable and with a precisely defined Earth–Sun distance.
For quantum systems, we expect to see classical behavior at the limit of large quantum numbers. Hence, we apply Bohmian approach to describe the Earth evolution around the Sun. We obtain possible trajectories of the Earth system with different initial conditions which converge to a definite stable orbit after a given time, known as the Kepler orbit. The trajectories have resulted from the guiding p=∇Sp=\nabla Sp=∇S equation in Bohmian mechanics which relates the momentum of the system to the phase part of the wave function. Except for some special situations, Bohmian trajectories are not Newtonian in character. We show that the classical behavior of the Earth can be described as the consequence of the guiding equation at the limit of large quantum numbers.
According to the correspondence principle, as formulated by Bohr, both in the old and the modern quantum theory, the classical limit should be recovered for large values of the quantum numbers in any quantum system. However, this classical limit of quantum theory is not so straightforward as in the interface of other generalizations of classical mechanics and other domains. In particular, relativistic kinematics and mechanics reduce to Newtonian equations by simple algebra in the case of bodies moving with small velocities compared to the speed of light in vacuum. In this paper we consider the correspondence limit to the two-body problem in gravitational physics, the limit in which both the principal and the angular quantum numbers, N, L are very large. In this limit, we compare with the classical elliptical orbits and we find that the macroscopic coherent quantum states correspond to the statistical average of every classical state compatible with conservation laws for the total energy and angular momentum. We also consider the perturbed Kepler problem with a central perturbation force proportional to the inverse of the cube of the distance to the central body. The exact solution for the quantum eigenstates shows that the first order perturbation to the energy eigenvalues are obtained classically as the temporal orbital average of the perturbation potential.
The results of Bohr model can be used to explain the motion of macroscopic objects or big objects (like orbiting planets and sun, falling stone etc.). These macroscopic objects have essentially a particle nature and Newtonian laws of motion can be applied on them. But it fails when applied to explain the motion of microscopic objects or small objects (like electrons, atoms, molecules etc.). This is because: According to Bohr model, an orbit is a well-defined path and this path can completely be defined only if both the position and velocity of the electron are known exactly at the same time. But this is not possible according to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Thus, Bohr model contradicts the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle . According to Bohr model, an electron is regarded as a charged particle moving in well-defined circular orbits concentric about the nucleus. The wave character of the electron is not considered. Thus, Bohr model ignores the de-Broglie dual nature of matter .
The results of Bohr model can be used to explain the motion of macroscopic objects or big objects (like orbiting planets and sun, falling stone etc.). These macroscopic objects have essentially a particle nature and Newtonian laws of motion can be applied on them. But it fails when applied to explain the motion of microscopic objects or small objects (like electrons, atoms, molecules etc.). This is because: According to Bohr model, an orbit is a well-defined path and this path can completely be defined only if both the position and velocity of the electron are known exactly at the same time. But this is not possible according to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Thus, Bohr model contradicts the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle . According to Bohr model, an electron is regarded as a charged particle moving in well-defined circular orbits concentric about the nucleus. The wave character of the electron is not considered. Thus, Bohr model ignores the de-Broglie dual nature of matter .
Abstract Classical and quantum mechanics are two very different theories, each describing the world within its own range of validity. It is often stated that classical mechanics emerges from quantum mechanics in a certain limit. This is known as the correspondence principle. According to Planck’s version of the correspondence principle, classical mechanics is recovered when the limit in which a dimensionless parameter containing Planck’s constant h goes to zero is taken, while Bohr’s version entails taking the limit of large quantum numbers. However, despite what is usually stated in textbooks, the relation between the two theories is much more complex to state and understand. Here we deal with this issue by analysing some key examples, in some of which also the analogously subtle relation between wave and geometric optics is considered. Implications for quantum mechanics teaching at undergraduate level are carefully discussed.
People believe that the Schrödinger equation cannot be used to describe macroscopic objects like the Earth, and Newtonian mechanics cannot be used to describe microscopic systems. The old concept of the relationship between the existing laws of quantum mechanics and classical mechanics undoubtedly has a serious impact on people’s understanding of the natural world, the development of physics theories, and the application of existing physics theories. The continuous development of physics theory requires constant changes to some incorrect old concepts. The Schrödinger equation that can describe planetary motion was successfully obtained by replacing the potential energy in the Hamiltonian operator from electromagnetic interaction potential energy to gravitational interaction potential energy. If the distance between the sun and the earth is approximated as a constant, the energy eigenvalues obtained by solving the Schrödinger equation for the Earth’s revolution are completely consistent with the results obtained directly using classical mechanics. The direct significance of establishing and applying such equations is that they can simultaneously use classical mechanics and wave dynamics to describe all objects (no longer limited by the mass of the objects), simplifying the calculation process of quantum mechanics. It has been proven that classical mechanics and wave dynamics are compatible. It has been proven that classical mechanics and wave dynamics are compatible, and there is no insurmountable gap between them. This result has a huge positive impact on the theoretical updates and applications of quantum mechanics.