Qeios

The Pedagogical Model of Quantum Mechanics over Sets

David Ellerman

Published Jan 5, 2024• 0 citations

Abstract

This paper develops a simplified pedagogical or toy model of (finite-dimensional non-relativistic) quantum mechanics (QM). The model uses vector spaces over \(\mathbb{Z}_{2}=\{0,1\}\), where the \(0,1\)-vectors can also be interpreted as sets, so the model is "quantum mechanics over sets" or QM/Sets. At the level of sets, the key notion is that of a partition or, equivalently, an equivalence relation. Partitions are the logical-level notions to model distinctions versus indistinctions, definiteness versus indefiniteness, or distinguishability versus indistinguishability. Those pairs of concepts are the key to understanding the non-classical 'weirdness' of QM. The key non-classical notion in QM is the notion of superposition, i.e., the notion of a state that is indefinite between two or more definite- or eigen-states. As Richard Feynman emphasized, all the weirdness of QM is illustrated in the double-slit experiment so the QM/Sets version is used to make the key points. The simplified model provides an explanation and intuitive picture to answer the key question: "How can the particle get to the detection wall without passing through one slit or the other?"

DOI: 10.32388/yqxkl7

Related papers

A New Approach to Understanding Quantum Mechanics: Illustrated Using a Pedagogical Model over ℤ2

David Ellerman

The new approach to quantum mechanics (QM) is that the mathematics of QM is the linearization of the mathematics of partitions (or equivalence relations) on a set. This paper develops those ideas using vector spaces over the field Z2={0.1} as a pedagogical or toy model of (finite-dimensional, non-relativistic) QM. The 0,1-vectors are interpreted as sets, so the model is “quantum mechanics over sets” or QM/Sets. The key notions of partitions on a set are the logical-level notions to model distinctions versus indistinctions, definiteness versus indefiniteness, or distinguishability versus indistinguishability. Those pairs of concepts are the key to understanding the non-classical ‘weirdness’ of QM. The key non-classical notion in QM is the notion of superposition, i.e., the notion of a state that is indefinite between two or more definite- or eigen-states. As Richard Feynman emphasized, all the weirdness of QM is illustrated in the double-slit experiment, so the QM/Sets version of that experiment is used to make the key points.

AppliedMathApr 9, 20240 citations

A New Approach to Understanding Quantum Mechanics: Illustrated Using a Pedagogical Model over Z2

David Ellerman

The new approach to quantum mechanics (QM) is that the mathematics of QM is the linearization of the mathematics of partitions (or equivalence relations) on a set. This paper develops those ideas using vector spaces over the field Z2 = {0.1} as a pedagogical or toy model of (finite-dimensional, non-relativistic) QM. The 0, 1-vectors are interpreted as sets, so the model is “quantum mechanics over sets” or QM/Sets. The key notions of partitions on a set are the logical-level notions to model distinctions versus indistinctions, definiteness versus indefiniteness, or distinguishability versus indistinguishability. Those pairs of concepts are the key to understanding the non-classical ‘weirdness’ of QM. The key non-classical notion in QM is the notion of superposition, i.e., the notion of a state that is indefinite between two or more definite- or eigen-states. As Richard Feynman emphasized, all the weirdness of QM is illustrated in the double-slit experiment, so the QM/Sets version of that experiment is used to make the key points.

Jan 1, 20240 citations

Quantum mechanics over sets

David Ellerman

In the tradition of toy models of quantum mechanics in vector spaces over finite fields (e.g., Schumacher and Westmoreland's "modal quantum theory"), one finite field stands out, 2, since vectors over 2 have an interpretation as natural mathematical objects, i.e., sets. This engages a sets-to-vector-spaces bridge that is part of the mathematical folklore to translate both ways between set concepts and vector space concepts. Using that bridge, the mathematical framework of (finite-dimensional) quantum mechanics can be transported down to sets resulting in quantum mechanics over sets or QM/sets. This approach leads to a different treatment of Dirac's brackets than in "modal quantum theory" (MQT), and that gives a full probability calculus (unlike MQT that only has zero-one modalities of impossible and possible). That, in turn, leads to a rather fulsome theory of QM over sets that includes "logical" models of the double-slit experiment, Bell's Theorem, quantum information theory, quantum computing, and much else. Indeed, QM/sets is proposed as the "logic" of QM in the old-fashioned sense of "logic" as giving the simplified essentials of a theory. QM/sets is also a key part of a broader research program to provide an interpretation of QM based on the notion of "objective indefiniteness," a program that grew out the recent development of the logic of partitions mathematically dual to the usual Boolean logic of subsets.

arXiv:1310.8221Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyOct 30, 20138 citations

The new partitional approach to (literally) interpreting quantum mechanics: Quantum reality is indefinite-world, not wave-world

David Ellerman

This paper presents a new 'partitional' approach to understanding or interpreting standard quantum mechanics (QM). The mathematical formalism of QM is significantly different from that of classical physics. Where did that distinctive QM formalism come from? Our thesis is that the mathematics (not the physics) of QM is the Hilbert space version of the math of partitions on a set and, conversely, the math of partitions is a skeletonized set level version of the math of QM. Since at the set level, partitions are the mathematical tool to represent distinctions and indistinctions (or definiteness and indefiniteness), this approach shows how to interpret the key non-classical QM notion of superposition in terms of (objective) indefiniteness between definite alternatives (as opposed to seeing it as the sum of 'waves'). Hence this partitional approach substantiates what might be called the Objective Indefiniteness Interpretation of QM.

QeiosOct 31, 20230 citations

The new partitional approach to (literally) interpreting quantum mechanics

David Ellerman

This paper presents a new 'partitional' approach to understanding or interpreting standard quantum mechanics (QM). The thesis is that the mathematics (not the physics) of QM is the Hilbert space version of the math of partitions on a set and, conversely, the math of partitions is a skeletonized set level version of the math of QM. Since at the set level, partitions are the mathematical tool to represent distinctions and indistinctions (or definiteness and indefiniteness), this approach shows how to interpret the key non-classical QM notion of superposition in terms of (objective) indefiniteness between definite alternatives (as opposed to seeing it as the sum of 'waves'). Hence this partitional approach substantiates what might be called the Objective Indefiniteness Interpretation or what Abner Shimony called the Literal Interpretation of QM.

Apr 20, 20230 citations

The new partitional approach to (literally) interpreting quantum mechanics

David Ellerman

This paper presents a new `partitional' approach to understanding or interpreting standard quantum mechanics (QM). The thesis is that the mathematics (not the physics) of QM is the Hilbert space version of the math of partitions on a set and, conversely, the math of partitions is a skeletonized set level version of the math of QM. Since at the set level, partitions are the mathematical tool to represent distinctions and indistinctions (or definiteness and indefiniteness), this approach shows how to interpret the key non-classical QM notion of superposition in terms of (objective) indefiniteness between definite alternatives (as opposed to seeing it as the sum of `waves'). Hence this partitional approach substantiates what might be called the Objective Indefiniteness Interpretation or what Abner Shimony called the Literal Interpretation of QM.

arXiv:2304.09644Apr 19, 20230 citations