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Investigating the Numerical Applicability of Analogies between Quantum Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics

Anton Scotte, Emil Zeidlitz

Published Jan 1, 2020• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Investigating the Numerical Applicability of Analogies between Quantum Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics

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We describe a series of experimental analogies between fluid mechanics and quantum mechanics recently discovered by a team of physicists. These analogies arise in droplet systems guided by a surface (or pilot) wave. We argue that these experimental facts put ancient theoretical work by Madelung on the analogy between fluid and quantum mechanics into new light. After re-deriving Madelung’s result starting from two basic fluid mechanical equations (the Navier–Stokes equation and the continuity equation), we discuss the relation with the de Broglie–Bohm theory. This allows to make a direct link with the droplet experiments. It is argued that the fluid mechanical interpretation of quantum mechanics, if it can be extended to the general N-particle case, would have a considerable advantage over the Bohm interpretation: it could rid Bohm’s theory of its non-local character.