AlefBet wrote:
Tim wrote:
Can someone please explain in a bit for stupid people like me what it means...
(I understand there are a lot of people here that knows a lot about quantum mechanics?)
In quantum mechanics, a particle can be in more than one state at the same time.
To be more specific (and more general so as not to focus on quantum computing): in a lot of quantum mechanics, the state of a system is not exact. There is a probability space that dictates, for example, the position of a particle. Generally there are two values that are intertwined such that if you theoretically know one with absolute certainty, then the other one has an infinite number of possibilities. For example, the uncertainties in the position and momentum of a particle are inter-related, as are the energy and time of that particle.
Because of this limitation on the theoretical knowledge of, say, a particle, you don't know where it is is going to be until you measure it. At that point you fix its value; until then, it could have been in either of two positions (in a simple situation). This is where the whole famous Schrodinger's Cat gedanken experiment comes into consideration...you don't know if the cat is alive or dead until you open up the box, in which case it could even be said that the act of opening up the box kills or doesn't kill the cat.
Some famous scientist (probably Feynman) once said that anyone who says that they fully understand quantum mechanics is either lying or insane, so don't feel bad if you don't really get it just yet.
Game on,
____________________________
"
He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an
unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder."
-- Tad Williams
/dy
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