Quantum 2025 – scientific programme

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FRI: Friday Contributed Sessions

FRI 4: Foundational / Mathematical Aspects – Alternative Views

FRI 4.7: Talk

Friday, September 12, 2025, 12:15–12:30, ZHG004

The alleged necessity of quantum mechanics — •Albrecht Giese — Taxusweg 15, 22605 Hamburg

To what extent is quantum mechanics unavoidable for describing elementary particles? Historically the existence of quantization occurred in the investigations of the energy levels of atoms. Atoms are oscillators and these oscillators are subject to specific constraints. It is a physical fact that certain constraints permit only specific oscillation energies. However, the development of QM has since led to the assumption that most physical quantities are subject to quantization. Is this a reasonable or necessary development?

We have examples of specific facts about elementary particles that can be better, or even only, explained classically. A striking example is the development of inertia, where the classical derivation yields precise results, whereas the accepted Higgs model does not give us any. There are other examples where known rules have been successfully postulated in quantum mechanics but can instead be *derived using classical methods. A prominent example is the Planck relation E = h*ny.

We will recommend a discussion on the conclusions that can be drawn from this fact.

Keywords: quantum mechanics; derivations; classical; postulations