A solution found to a quantum problem raised by Einstein in 1953

A team of researchers, led by Professor Antonio Feoli, has addressed a critique of Quantum Mechanics raised by Albert Einstein in 1953.

In an attempt to prove that Quantum Mechanics was an incomplete theory, Einstein analysed the motion of a body confined within a box with perfectly reflective walls. According to quantum predictions, the body should remain stationary—a result that sharply contrasts with the oscillatory motion predicted by classical mechanics. The challenge of reconciling quantum theory with classical mechanics has captured the interest of the scientific community, prompting various interpretations and explanations.

Now, Italian researchers Antonio Feoli, Elmo Benedetto, Luca D’Errico, and Antonella Lucia Iannella have shown that by applying the standard rules of Quantum Mechanics, it is possible to achieve the oscillatory motion Einstein had in mind. Specifically, the team derived the velocity of the particle using a formula that directly corresponds to the one used in classical mechanics.

This groundbreaking research, which advances the international debate on one of the most fascinating topics in modern physics and marks a step forward in understanding quantum theory, has been published in the prestigious journal The European Physical Journal Plus (Vol. 140, Article No. 33, 2025).