2009/08/12 by C. L. Herzenberg, Herzenberg, C. L.
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Mathematical Theories and Applications #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #physics.gen-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0908.1760
15 pages, 0 figures
arxiv created 2009/08/12 · openalex publication_date 2009/08/12 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
During the last few years, several studies have proposed the existence of a threshold separating classical from quantum behavior of objects that is dependent on the size and mass of an object as well as being dependent on certain properties usually associated with the universe as a whole. Here, we reexamine the results of these studies and recast the threshold criteria in terms of a critical threshold value for the moments of inertia of physical objects. Physical objects having moments of inertia above this critical threshold value would be expected to behave necessarily in a classical manner in terms of their center of mass motion as entire objects, while physical objects having moments of inertia lower than this threshold value could exhibit quantum behavior unless brought into classicality by other effects. A comparison with observed values of moments of inertia is presented, and the moment of inertia is suggested as a classifying parameter for examination of the quantum versus classical behavior of objects in the mesoscale domain.