Continuity Equation Versus Free Particle Flow/Flux Quantum Equations III

In Part II we noted that in the literature the Schrodinger equation is sometimes derived (e.g. (1)) from two fluid equations which follow from Boltzmann’s transport equation, namely the continuity equation (conservation of mass) and a conservation of momentum equation. We also suggested the following flow/flux equations for a free particle: d/dx partial A = p ((1a)) and d/dt partial A = -E ((1b)) or A=-Et+px a Lorentz invariant. For a quantum free particle one may convert these into eigenvalue equations (see Part II). For a bound state one has a system with no overall net momentum, but an overall energy. Thus one may expect the free particle quantum solution exp(-iEt) to still appear.

    In (1), u(x,t) = velocity field is defined as d/dx S(x,t) based on the idea of irrotational flow. We argued that for u(x,t)=0  S(x,t)=f(t) where t is any function which is ambiguous. Furthermore, in order to have the equations of (1) apply for a bound state S=-Et or in other words there is a principle that d/dt S = -E i.e ((1b)).

    In this note we examine both a free quantum particle and a bound state in terms of the fluid approach of (1). The result S=-Et remains, but in the case of the free particle ((1a)) emerges from dS/dx = u(x,t)=p. For the bound state overall p is 0, but S=-Et still holds. As a result there is a density from the fluid approach and a related stress potential which leads to a conservation of energy equation. The stress potential, however, is equal to the average kinetic energy at each x because E= W(x)+V(x) from (1). In (1) W(x) is calculated using assumptions linking sij = < (vi-ui)(vj-uj)> to derivatives of density. We calculate average kinetic energy directly using: P(p/x) = a(p)exp(ipx) / Wv(x) where Wv(x) =wavefunction = Sum over p a(p)exp(ipx). The two results are the same.