The Bizarre Yet Beautiful World of the Infinitely Small
Image Credit: Heinrich Pas
You are about to read about a topic which has caused more arguments than a family game
night, but has aided science like no other. It involves not-so-dead-but-also-dead cats, so it is
quite fun.
Quantum Mechanics has one of the muddiest histories, and has overthrown many
household-named physicists (yes, even the guy with the weird hair). To get started, Quantum
Mechanics governs the behaviour of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels. This has
helped us achieve many technological advances and explain various astrophysical
phenomena. But would you believe it if I said that the most successful scientific theory is also
the most absurd?
If you want to get an idea of how absurd it is, let us take the case of the undead cat. It is a
thought experiment illustrated by Schrödinger where if a cat were to be put in a box with
something that could kill it, until the box is opened to be observed, the cat is both dead and
alive at the same time. Okay, I know, how is that even possible?
As it turns out this phenomenon does have a basis in reality. An electron up until the moment of observation spins both clockwise and anti-clockwise, which in itself raises a lot of
questions, but for now, let’s focus on its implications. How does it know that it is being
observed? What counts as an observation? What makes it determine which direction to spin?
What is more absurd is that if a single electron is made to go through a screen with two slits,
the single electron somehow goes through both slits at the same time!
The Genesis of Quantum Mechanics
Understanding Quantum Mechanics begins with the realisation that light can behave both as a wave and a particle. In the early 20th century, Max Planck proposed that visible light and
other electromagnetic radiation could only be emitted or absorbed in discrete amounts called "quanta." This revolutionary idea laid the foundation for Quantum Mechanics. Albert
Einstein extended this concept to explain the photoelectric effect, demonstrating that light
consists of particles called photons.
Wave-Particle Duality: Two Natures in One
A fundamental concept in Quantum Mechanics is wave-particle duality, which states that
particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. This was vividly
demonstrated in the double-slit experiment. When particles like electrons pass through two
slits, they create an interference pattern typical of waves. However, if observed, they behave
like particles and the pattern disappears. This phenomenon emphasises the role of the
observer in quantum systems.
Imagine shooting a single electron through a pair of slits and discovering that it seems to
interfere with itself, creating a pattern that suggests it has gone through both slits
simultaneously. Yet, the moment we attempt to observe which slit the electron passes
through, the interference pattern vanishes, and the electron behaves like a particle, choosing a single path. This experiment defies our classical understanding of reality and underscores the peculiar nature of quantum objects.
The Uncertainty Principle: Embracing the Unknown
In 1927, Werner Heisenberg introduced the Uncertainty Principle, stating that it is impossible
to simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of a particle. This limitation is not
due to flaws in measurement but is inherent in the nature of quantum objects. The more
precisely one property is measured, the less precisely the other can be known. This principle
challenges classical intuition and introduces a fundamental limit to our knowledge of the
micro-world.
The Uncertainty Principle suggests a world where our ability to predict and measure is
intrinsically limited, a world where determinism gives way to probability. Imagine trying to
determine the exact location and speed of a tiny particle, only to find that the more accurately you pinpoint one, the blurrier the other becomes. This revelation shattered the classical notion of a predictable universe, revealing a layer of unpredictability at the quantum level.
Superposition: The Power of Possibilities
Superposition is another mind-bending aspect of Quantum Mechanics. A quantum system can exist in multiple states simultaneously until measured, a system shaped around our
not-so-dead cat. The cat in the box is both dead and alive until observed. Similarly, particles
like electrons can exist in a superposition of states, settling into one definite state upon
measurement.
Consider the implications of superposition in the realm of computing. Quantum computers,
leveraging this principle, can process vast amounts of information simultaneously. Unlike
classical bits that exist in a state of 0 or 1, quantum bits, or qubits, can exist in multiple states
at once. This allows quantum computers to solve complex problems at unprecedented speeds, opening new frontiers in cryptography, optimization, and simulations.
Entanglement: Spooky Action at a Distance
Einstein called quantum entanglement "spooky action at a distance." When two particles
become entangled, the state of one particle instantly correlates with the state of the other,
regardless of the distance between them. This experimentally verified phenomenon defies
classical explanations and suggests that quantum effects can occur instantaneously across
vast distances.
Imagine a pair of entangled particles, one on Earth and the other on Mars. A change in the
state of the particle on Earth would instantaneously affect the state of the particle on Mars.
This "spooky action" hints at a deeper, more interconnected reality, challenging our
understanding of space and time.
Applications and Implications: Shaping the Future of Physics
Quantum Mechanics has revolutionised our understanding of the universe and led to
numerous technological advancements. It underpins the operation of semiconductors, the
building blocks of modern electronics, including computers and smartphones. Quantum
Mechanics also plays a crucial role in developing new materials and medical technologies.
In computing, Quantum Mechanics promises a new era with quantum computers. These
devices leverage superposition and entanglement principles to perform computations at
speeds unimaginable with classical computers. Quantum cryptography aims to create
unbreakable encryption methods, ensuring secure communication in the digital age.
In astrophysics, Quantum Mechanics helps explain the behaviour of objects in extreme
environments, such as black holes and neutron stars. It provides insights into the early
universe, contributing to our understanding of cosmology and the Big Bang.
The principles of Quantum Mechanics are also driving advancements in quantum sensing and imaging, enabling unprecedented precision in measurements and observations. This
technology has potential applications in fields ranging from medicine to environmental
monitoring, offering new ways to diagnose diseases, detect pollutants, and explore the natural world.
Embracing the Absurd
Quantum Mechanics, with its strange and counterintuitive principles, continues to challenge
our understanding of reality. It has redefined the boundaries of physics and opened new
frontiers in technology and science. While it may seem absurd, its predictive power and
practical applications make it one of the most successful scientific theories ever developed.
As we explore the quantum realm, we are likely to uncover even more profound and
perplexing phenomena, further expanding our knowledge of the universe.
This journey into the quantum world invites us to embrace uncertainty, superposition, and
entanglement, not as abstract concepts, but as the very fabric of reality. As we venture deeper into this realm, we may find that the line between the possible and the impossible is far blurrier than we ever imagined, and that the true nature of the universe is even more
wondrous and mysterious than we can conceive.
By Paveena Vijayakumar
Resources
Dan Styer, "A Brief History of Quantum Mechanics"
Helge Kragh, “Max Planck: the reluctant revolutionary", Physics World
Sara Metwalli, "What is Schrodinger's cat?", Built In
Gordon Squires, "Quantum Mechanics", Britannica
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