Kochen-Specker theorem

proper noun

A no-go theorem that places certain constraints on the permissible types of hidden-variable theories that try to explain the apparent randomness of quantum mechanics as a deterministic model featuring hidden states. It demonstrates the impossibility of quantum-mechanical observables representing "elements of physical reality".

Similar
Bell-Kochen-Specker theorem
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. quantum mechanicsA no-go theorem that places certain constraints on the permissible types of hidden-variable theories that try to explain the apparent randomness of quantum mechanics as a deterministic model featuring hidden states. It demonstrates the impossibility of quantum-mechanical observables representing "elements of physical reality".

    Synonyms: Bell-Kochen-Specker theorem

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounA no-go theorem that places certain constraints on the permissible types of hidden-variable theories that try to explain the apparent randomness of quantum mechanics as a deterministic model featuring hidden states. It demonstrates the impossibility of quantum-mechanical observables representing "elements of physical reality".

Similar
Bell-Kochen-Specker theorem
Also see
bell-kochen-specker theorem

Origin

Proved by John S. Bell in 1966 and by Simon B. Kochen and Ernst Specker in 1967.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Kochen-Specker theorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Kochen-Specker%20theorem

MLA

“Kochen-Specker theorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Kochen-Specker%20theorem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Kochen-Specker theorem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Kochen-Specker%20theorem.

Source: Kochen-Specker theorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.