Identical particles are indistinguishable but..

TL;DR

This paper discusses how identical quantum particles can be treated as distinguishable in certain states, simplifying analysis but potentially leading to incorrect entropy calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a framework where identical particles are treated as distinguishable in specific states, clarifying when this simplification is valid.

Findings

Treating identical particles as distinguishable is valid in well-differentiated states.

Simplification can lead to incorrect entropy calculations.

Justifies intuitive statements about identical systems in quantum mechanics.

Abstract

It is shown that quantum systems of identical particles can be treated as if they were different when they are in well differentiated states. This simplifying assumption allows the consideration of quantum systems isolated from the rest of the universe and justifies many intuitive statements about identical systems. However, it is shown that this simplification may lead to wrong results in the calculation of the entropy. Keywords: quantum mechanics, identical systems, entropy