The Symmetry Character of Many-Particle Wavefunctions

Abstract

We now want to turn to our often-announced solution of the problem of the principle of indistinguishability of identical particles. This property of quantum mechanical objects cannot be readily understood from a classical point of view. In classical mechanics it is always possible (at least theoretically) to determine at each time all coordinates and momenta of the particles. Therefore, one can follow the path of each particle in phase space during the course of time. The particles possess an individuality which expresses itself in the fact that they can be enumerated, and in the fact that one exactly knows at each instant the state of motion (coordinates and momentum) which any particle assumes.