The physics of quantum mechanics was thereby reduced to the mathematics of Hilbert spaces and linear operators acting on them. For example, the uncertainty principle, according to which the determination of the position of a particle prevents the determination of its momentum and vice versa, is translated into the non-commutativity of the two corresponding operators. This new mathematical formulation included as special cases the formulations of both Heisenberg and Schrödinger. When Heisenberg was informed von Neumann had clarified the difference between an unbounded operator that was a Self-adjoint operator and one that was merely symmetric, Heisenberg replied "Eh? What is the difference?" COUNT 3
QSN1 What are the physics of quantum mechanics? ANS1 mathematics of Hilbert spaces and linear operators acting on them QSN2 What is the uncertainty principle? ANS2 determination of the position of a particle prevents the determination of its momentum and vice versa QSN3 The physics of quantum mechanics included special cases for what work? ANS3 formulations of both Heisenberg and Schrödinger