https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-02293-z
Regular Article
On the quantum origin of potentials
1
Theoretical Physics Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, T1K 3M4, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
2
Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, 110007, New Delhi, India
Received:
9
November
2021
Accepted:
15
December
2021
Published online:
30
December
2021
The dynamics of a quantum particle is governed by its wavefunction, which in turn is determined by the classical potential to which it is subjected. However the wavefunction itself induces a quantum potential, the particle ‘sees’ the sum of the classical and quantum potentials, and there is no way to separate the two. Therefore in principle, part or whole of an observed potential may be attributable to a quantum potential. We examine this possibility and discuss implications.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021