[Physics] Does quantum randomness measurably affect macro-sized objects

quantum mechanicsrandomness

I understand that while it is believed that there is no true randomness on the macro scale, there is true randomness on the quantum scale. A previous theory that quantum processes could be determined through "hidden variables" has been disproven (through polarizing photons and radioactive particle decay), confirming that true randomness does exist.

Now for my question. Does quantum randomness measurably affect the macro scale such that true randomness actually does exist outside quantum mechanics, or will rolling a die in identical conditions always yield the same result even after factoring quantum randomness?

Best Answer

The stochastic features of QM could leave, in principle, a "trace" at the macroscopic level.

This is because not every $\hslash$-dependent family of quantum states yields, in the limit $\hslash\to 0$, a completely deterministic classical state (phase space point). As a matter of fact:

Every possible classical phase-space probability distribution can be obtained from some suitable quantum configuration, in the classical limit.

In other words, in the classical limit the quantum non-commutative probabilities (states) become, in general, classical probabilities in the phase space (statistical states). There are quantum states that in the limit become points of the phase space (not surprisingly, this is the case for the squeezed coherent states of minimal uncertainty), but these are only special cases.

This classical statistical description, that emerges from quantum states in the classical limit, can be seen as a "trace" of the probabilistic nature of the underlying quantum theory.

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