Bohr and Complementarity
- Quote from Bohr:
- “The quantum postulate forces us to adopt a new mode of description designated as complementary in the sense that any given application of classical concepts precludes the simultaneous use of other classical concepts which in a different connection are equally necessary for the elucidation of phenomena.”
- Bohr believes it is impossible to invent a new language to describe “quantum reality”. The modes of description we need (observation & definition of states) have been developed in classical physics. Quantum theory forces us to choose only one of these descriptions for a given situation.. which one is determined by the choice of experimental apparatus!
What is “complimentarity?