The Entropic Dynamics Approach to the Paradigmatic Quantum Mechanical Phenomena

Abstract

Standard Quantum Mechanics, although successful in terms of calculating and predicting results, is inherently difficult to understand and can suffer from misinterpretation. Entropic Dynamics is an epistemic approach to quantum mechanics based on logical inference. It incorporates the probabilities that naturally arise in situations where there is missing information. The development of Entropic Dynamics involves describing a particle in terms of a probability density, and then following the time evolution of the probability density based on diffusion-like motion and maximization of entropy. Here we will apply Entropic Dynamics to several of the paradigmatic examples used in the instruction of quantum mechanics. These examples include wave packet expansion, interference, the double slit experiment, the harmonic oscillator, and entanglement. In the section on the double slit experiment, some interesting insight is gained concerning the occurrence of minima in the absence of a mechanism for destructive interference, since probabilities only add. Also, the section on the harmonic oscillator provides interesting insight into rotation and angular momentum as it pertains to the flow of probability. The last topic consists of some remarks concerning the state of education research as it pertains to quantum mechanics and the ways in which Entropic Dynamics might address them.