Length as a paradigm for understanding the classical limit

Abstract

It is regrettable that the quantum length of an object is rarely if ever discussed, because it provides an ideal pedagogical paradigm for understanding how a physicist uses classical intuition to define quantum properties and how such quantum properties behave as one would expect in the classical limit. It also provides for a way to understand many-particle states, and leads to interesting quantum behavior that challenges our intuition about measurement. This exercise parallels the ways in which theories are developed, giving the student a concrete example of the thought process involved.