Abstract
We revisit the treatment of identical particles in quantum mechanics. Two kinds of solutions of the Schrödinger equation are found and analysed. First, are the known symmetrized and antisymmetrized eigenfunctions. We examine how the very concept of particle is blurred within this approach. Second, we propose another kind of solution with no symmetries that we identify with Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics. In it, particles do preserve their individuality, as they are provided with individual energy and momenta. However, these properties cannot be univocally ascribed; moreover, particles do not possess distinctive positions. Finally, we explore how these results affect the calculation of canonical partition function, and we show that extensivity arises as a consequence of identity.
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