Classical limit of quantum mechanics in the large

Abstract

AbstractHilbert space may be regarded as a convenient standard approximation by interpolation and extrapolation to a unitary space, in general decomposable into a sum of semisimple spaces. In the limit we expect a particle theory expanded in powers of h according to the number of interacting particles. In the classical limit h tending to zero, phase space, with equations of motion reducible to Hamiltonian form, replaces Hilbert space. The modification of states by observing them is taken care of by considering probability distributions of petty ensembles. If the equations for any single observer can be made autonomous by replacing empirical time by universal time with an arrow we have a causal system. We then obtain the relation between probability and negentropy required for the second law of thermodynamics. An approximate Newtonian theory provides proximate particles with internal and external variables and admits the Poincaré group. For the internal variables we have approximately the Breit interaction. For the external variables we have equivalence for observers of the homogeneous Lorentz group of relativity. We introduce grand ensembles of ultimate particles, and nebulae as proximate particles in the large. We assume the Einstein principle of equivalence for the ten parameter set of observers suggested by relativity and suppose the second law of thermodynamics holds for each observer. The Einstein law of gravitation follows in classical theory to the order of the reciprocal of the large constant, in general with positive natural curvature as well as that corresponding to mass. Replacing particle interactions by fields we include them in classical theory.