What's the difference between Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Phsyics?

JLam · 3rd January 2006, 06:52 PM

I have no idea, as I'm not really all that smart. But neither are most of the quacks out there who spout off about QM and/or QP as the answer to whatever BS they're trying to push on you. It occured to me that you can use this question to shut these types of people up.

I read somewhere that anyone who claims to understand QP/QM probably doesn't.

I just think the next time someone says something along the lines of "Oh, you know that the theory of Intelligent Design is supported by Quantum Physics," you can say to them "You know, I've always wondered about the difference between QM and QP." That outghta throw a monkey wrench into their stupid BS.

By the way, what IS the difference between QM and QP, in layman's [or stupid chef's] terms?

epepke · 3rd January 2006, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by JLam

I have no idea, as I'm not really all that smart. But neither are most of the quacks out there who spout off about QM and/or QP as the answer to whatever BS they're trying to push on you. It occured to me that you can use this question to shut these types of people up.

I read somewhere that anyone who claims to understand QP/QM probably doesn't.

I just think the next time someone says something along the lines of "Oh, you know that the theory of Intelligent Design is supported by Quantum Physics," you can say to them "You know, I've always wondered about the difference between QM and QP." That outghta throw a monkey wrench into their stupid BS.

By the way, what IS the difference between QM and QP, in layman's [or stupid chef's] terms?

I'm not sure that I've ever heard the term Quantum Physics.

Quantum Mechanics usually refers roughly to what was discovered about the behavior of quanta before about 1940. Other stuff has been discovered since then: QED, QCD, Bell's inequality, etc. I suppose that Quantum Physics could be used as a term for the whole schmeer.

Simon Bridge · 4th January 2006, 02:19 AM

Quantum Physics is the field. It's what Quantum Physicists do.
Quantum Mechanics is a part of the feild. It's what Quantum Physicists use.

QM usually refers to Wave Mechanics (Schrodinger et al) but can refer to Particle Mechanics (Einstein/Dirac) as well.

QM is supposed to be distinct, as pointed out, from the relativistic theories like QED (Quantum Electro-Dynamics - Feynman et al).

Good enough?

Soapy Sam · 4th January 2006, 06:04 AM

I think it depends who uses the terms.

To me, QP is the field and QM the tendency to use agreed upon calculating models to extract predictions about quantum systems- ie QM is a method used in QP, which is pretty much what Simon said, I think.
To most journalists , general readers and pop science writers, the terms seem to be pretty well synonymous.

Brian the Snail · 4th January 2006, 06:37 AM

I don't think there is a difference- they are just two terms that refer to the same thing. It's similar to statistical mechanics/statistical physics which also tend to be used interchangably.

Jekyll · 4th January 2006, 06:54 AM

Quantum Science is the phrase you should watch out for.

If anyone uses this, they should be beaten around the head with a spanner; don't stop to find out what woo they are peddling.

3rd January 2006, 06:52 PM	#1
JLam Proud Skepkid Parent Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Low and away Posts: 4,165	What's the difference between Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Phsyics? I have no idea, as I'm not really all that smart. But neither are most of the quacks out there who spout off about QM and/or QP as the answer to whatever BS they're trying to push on you. It occured to me that you can use this question to shut these types of people up. I read somewhere that anyone who claims to understand QP/QM probably doesn't. I just think the next time someone says something along the lines of "Oh, you know that the theory of Intelligent Design is supported by Quantum Physics," you can say to them "You know, I've always wondered about the difference between QM and QP." That outghta throw a monkey wrench into their stupid BS. By the way, what IS the difference between QM and QP, in layman's [or stupid chef's] terms?
	__________________ Help take down Sylvia Browne. "what's dicksing? my dicksionary have no word for that" - Pillory

3rd January 2006, 07:08 PM	#2
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950	Originally Posted by JLam I have no idea, as I'm not really all that smart. But neither are most of the quacks out there who spout off about QM and/or QP as the answer to whatever BS they're trying to push on you. It occured to me that you can use this question to shut these types of people up. I read somewhere that anyone who claims to understand QP/QM probably doesn't. I just think the next time someone says something along the lines of "Oh, you know that the theory of Intelligent Design is supported by Quantum Physics," you can say to them "You know, I've always wondered about the difference between QM and QP." That outghta throw a monkey wrench into their stupid BS. By the way, what IS the difference between QM and QP, in layman's [or stupid chef's] terms? I'm not sure that I've ever heard the term Quantum Physics. Quantum Mechanics usually refers roughly to what was discovered about the behavior of quanta before about 1940. Other stuff has been discovered since then: QED, QCD, Bell's inequality, etc. I suppose that Quantum Physics could be used as a term for the whole schmeer.
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950	__________________ "It probably came from a sticky dark planet far, far away." - Godzilla versus Hedora "There's no evidence that the 9-11 attacks (whoever did them) were deliberately attacking civilians. On the contrary the targets appear to have been chosen as military." -DavidByron

4th January 2006, 06:04 AM	#4
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	I think it depends who uses the terms. To me, QP is the field and QM the tendency to use agreed upon calculating models to extract predictions about quantum systems- ie QM is a method used in QP, which is pretty much what Simon said, I think. To most journalists , general readers and pop science writers, the terms seem to be pretty well synonymous.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

4th January 2006, 06:37 AM	#5
Brian the Snail Muse Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 963	I don't think there is a difference- they are just two terms that refer to the same thing. It's similar to statistical mechanics/statistical physics which also tend to be used interchangably.
Brian the Snail Muse Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 963

4th January 2006, 06:54 AM	#6
Jekyll Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The other other place Posts: 1,589	Quantum Science is the phrase you should watch out for. If anyone uses this, they should be beaten around the head with a spanner; don't stop to find out what woo they are peddling.
	__________________ And I looked. And behold a green horse, and his name that sat on him was death. ~Tyndale New Testament

4th January 2006, 02:19 AM	#3
Simon Bridge Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Waiheke Island (NZ) Posts: 346	Quantum Physics is the field. It's what Quantum Physicists do. Quantum Mechanics is a part of the feild. It's what Quantum Physicists use. QM usually refers to Wave Mechanics (Schrodinger et al) but can refer to Particle Mechanics (Einstein/Dirac) as well. QM is supposed to be distinct, as pointed out, from the relativistic theories like QED (Quantum Electro-Dynamics - Feynman et al). Good enough?