Princeton University Press eBooks

The Quantum Statistics

John von Neumann

Published Feb 27, 2018• 3 citations

Abstract

This chapter returns to the analysis of quantum mechanical theories. In the previous chapter, how quantum mechanics makes possible the determination of all possible values of one particular physical quantity—energy—was only discussed. These values are the eigenvalues of the energy operator (i.e., the numbers of its spectrum). On the other hand, no mention was made about the values of other quantities, as well as regarding the causal or statistical relations among the values of several quantities. The statements of the theory relative to this problem are thus considered in this chapter. It takes as a basis the wave mechanical method of description since the equivalence of the two theories has already been established.

DOI: 10.23943/princeton/9780691178561.003.0004

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