This work demonstrates how classical nuclear motion leads to deterministic quantum mechanics in chemical reactions, suggesting new insights into electronic structure.
Quantum mechanics is perceived as a theory that is difficult to understand with strange philosophical consequences. This is due to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. On the basis of the knowledge accumulated in modern computer simulations of many-particle problems, a different approach is presented that is purely deterministic. To arrive at this simpler picture, it is sufficient to treat nuclear motion classically. It is argued that this is justified by the different nature of nuclear motion compared to electronic structure, which must be described quantum-mechanically. The underlying approximation leads directly to the theory that is mainly used nowadays to simulate chemical reactions. As a result, electronic structure develops with time without any wavefunction collapse.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Irmgard Frank (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: