"Bjoern Feuerbacher" wrote in message
...
Old Man wrote:
"Andr? Michaud" wrote in message
om...

[snip]


To my knowledge, what is being taught, in perfect accordance with
Heisenber's teachings is that the electron is not localized until
the wave function collapses. So, when in motion, it is definitely
considered in the Copenhagen school view of QM as being spread out.


Stationary states aren't subject to uncertainty.

Wrong. Why do you think so???

In what way does Bjoern think that the quantum numbers
of energy, total angular momentum, and parity that together
uniquely define an atomic stationary state carry intrinsic
uncertainty ?

The
parameters of an electron in a stationary state can be
measured with precision.

Only the energy can (in principle) be measured with precision in
stationary states. Both position and momentum are "uncertain".

The quantum numbers of energy, total angular momentum,
and parity together uniquely define a stationary state and are
not subject to inherent uncertainty.

Via multiple observations
of identically prepared systems, one can measure the
distribution of degenerate states, that is, states of equal
energy and angular momentum, to unlimited accuracy.

It's not clear to me what you mean by "measure the distribution of
degenerate states".

Additionally, AFAIK, "degenerate states" means only that the energies
are equal. The states can have different angular momenta. E.g. the
states |200 and |210 of the hydrogen atom (using a notation |nlm for
the states here) are degenerate, although the l is different.

The states mentioned are degenerate only in the sense
that the spin orbit interaction has been neglected. Taken
into account, only states of differing z-components of
total angular momentum, J_z, are degenerate in energy.

Even if they are "accidentally" degenerate in energy, a
superposition of atomic stationary states cannot include
states of differing total angular momentum, J, because
they are orthogonal. Without an external force, a transition
between them is impossible. The wave functions don't
overlap.

This is also true for Bjoern's example wherein J = L. The
transition, |200 = |210 is impossible without the
application of an external force. The electron can't exist
in both orbitals at once. They're orthogonal.

[Old Man]



[snip rest]

Bye,
Bjoern