Re: h bar and Lorentz transformation

From: David Cross (spamdenied_at_nospam.net)
Date: 03/19/05 

Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 21:24:56 -0800

On 18 Mar 2005 20:59:51 -0800, "Susy" <pointlike@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hello folks
>
>The constancy of the speed of light is usually mentioned as one of the
>corner stones of special relativity.
>
>How about the constancy of h bar, it is like c, a universal constant
>too but it is never mentioned as a corner stone of quantum mechanics!!!
>
>or is it too trivial to mention? is there any physical principal behind
>that? or is there something special about c? a historical reason may
>be?
>
>Does the term "universal constant" necessirely mean, it is the same in
>all inertial frames?
>
>Such thoughts have been confusing me, and i could not find any answer
>in any text.
>
>I will be very appreciated for any clarification

I think it's just a question of the importance the constant has in the
theoretical framework. For quantum mechanics, h-bar is a constant that sets
the size of the quantization that is experienced in the universe. The
cornerstones of QM are the wave-particle duality and the basic uncertainties
derived by Heisenberg, as well as the wave equation developed by Schroedinger.

For relativity, the speed of light being an invariant is a postulate and a
necessary one to develop the mathematical framework incorporating the Lorentz
Transformations from first principles.

Thus, the differing emphases. At least, as I have found it to be. 

---
David Cross
dcross1 AT shaw DOT ca

Relevant Pages

  • Re: h bar and Lorentz transformation
    ... > corner stones of special relativity. ... > How about the constancy of h bar, it is like c, a universal constant ... Take a look at any good statistical mechanics books that goes into ...
    (sci.physics.research)
  • Re: h bar and Lorentz transformation
    ... > The constancy of the speed of light is usually mentioned as one of the ... > corner stones of special relativity. ... There is no corresponding derivation of QM from this principle plus ...
    (sci.physics.particle)
  • Re: h bar and Lorentz transformation
    ... > The constancy of the speed of light is usually mentioned as one of the ... > corner stones of special relativity. ... There is no corresponding derivation of QM from this principle plus ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: h bar and Lorentz transformation
    ... >corner stones of special relativity. ... For quantum mechanics, h-bar is a constant that sets ... necessary one to develop the mathematical framework incorporating the Lorentz ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)