Microscopic Models as Related to Macroscopic Descriptions

Abstract

The models expounded in Chapter 4 are often labelled as macroscopic, since apparently they do not allow one to consider the Clausius–Mossotti or the Lorentz–Lorenz relation. Even though we shall not, even here, expound this interesting subject, which, however, is notorious in the classical theory, we shall mention the quantum models, whose microscopic character cannot be doubted. The role of macroscopic averages, which is analyzed in the classical theory as well, is discussed from the quantal viewpoint.