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Plurality of Wave–Particle Duality


Affiliations
1 National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru 560 012, India
 

Wave–particle duality has been one of the guiding concepts in the development of modern physics. Even though duality has been extensively studied, the concept possessing multiple definitions has not received due attention. The article, to begin with, establishes the plurality associated with duality by highlighting the presence of multiple interpretations in the history of quantum mechanics and also demonstrates how prominent scientific pedagogic texts, drawing from these different threads of development, differ in the depiction of duality. This plurality has not been recognized for several reasons. Among these, the article criticizes the simplistic historical depiction of duality by showing how the narration of this concept under-going linear development glosses over crucial historical details. Following that, the nature of the concerned plurality is analysed by comparing it with other kinds of plurality found in science. The article concludes by emphasising the relevance of this discussion for the current scientific research and for the pedagogy of quantum mechanics.

Keywords

History of Quantum Mechanics, Plurality, Wave–Particle Duality.
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  • Plurality of Wave–Particle Duality

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Authors

Varun S. Bhatta
National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru 560 012, India

Abstract


Wave–particle duality has been one of the guiding concepts in the development of modern physics. Even though duality has been extensively studied, the concept possessing multiple definitions has not received due attention. The article, to begin with, establishes the plurality associated with duality by highlighting the presence of multiple interpretations in the history of quantum mechanics and also demonstrates how prominent scientific pedagogic texts, drawing from these different threads of development, differ in the depiction of duality. This plurality has not been recognized for several reasons. Among these, the article criticizes the simplistic historical depiction of duality by showing how the narration of this concept under-going linear development glosses over crucial historical details. Following that, the nature of the concerned plurality is analysed by comparing it with other kinds of plurality found in science. The article concludes by emphasising the relevance of this discussion for the current scientific research and for the pedagogy of quantum mechanics.

Keywords


History of Quantum Mechanics, Plurality, Wave–Particle Duality.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv118%2Fi9%2F1365-1374