From: Dickey, Michael F (michael_f_dickey@groton.pfizer.com)
Date: Thu Oct 24 2002 - 09:23:31 MDT
Dickey, Michael F.
> No measurable difference does not mean that two entities are one, only
> that they are identical.
"The Identity of Indiscernible ...states that no two distinct substances
exactly resemble each other. Recent work on the interpretation of quantum
mechanics suggests that the principle fails in the quantum domain. "
Thanks, this serves to re-inforce the point (and it is quite interesting
additionaly) If the principle fails in the quantum domain then two distinct
particles may have idenatical quantifiable descriptions, but they must, by
defination, be at two different places. Thus they are still spatially
seperated, and still unique in some aspect. Even if all of their properties
are identical, they can not exist in the same palce at the same time.
> But in this case there are changes if we exchange the objects, even if
> they are very small changes. The differences can be detected
"Two physical objects in the same quantum state are provably
indistinguishable. Okay? If they weren't, e.g. the equilibrium equation
wouldn't be true."
They are distinguishalbe because they are not in the same place at the same
time.
Michael
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