Monday, April 20, 2015

Q is for Quantum Mechanics

Quantum mechanics is a fundamental branch of physics which deals with physical phenomena at nanoscopic scales. At the turn of the 20th century we figured out classical mechanics isn't correct. Physicists trying to understand the behavior of matter at microscopic levels concluded that the rules would have to be overturned, and replaced with something else. Enter quantum mechanics, arguably the greatest triumph of human intelligence and imagination in all of history. 

Yet, for nearly a century, “reality” has been a murky concept. The laws of quantum physics seem to suggest that particles spend much of their time in a ghostly state, lacking even basic properties such as a definite location and instead existing everywhere and nowhere at once. Only when a particle is measured does it suddenly materialize, appearing to pick its position as if by a roll of the dice. Reference 

Quantum mechanics is downright weird. Scientists interpret quantum mechanics to mean that a tiny piece of material like a photon or electron is both a particle and a wave. It can be either, depending on how one looks at it or what kind of an experiment one is doing. In fact, it might be more accurate to say that photons and electrons are neither a particle or a wave -- they're undefined up until the very moment someone looks at them or performs an experiment, thus forcing them to be either a particle or a wave. Reference 

Huhn??? 

Honorable Mention: Quabbala (also Cabbala or Kabbala) 

Tomorrow: R is for Reincarnation 

Wednesday: S is for Signs and Symbols

Question: Can you explain quantum mechanics? If you can, you;re first in line for the Noble Peace Prize for Physics.

29 comments:

  1. H Stephen - I can't simply understand the words .. but I vaguely understand - vague being the right description. We know so much, yet know so little - I'm just in awe of people with big brains ... and there are a few around .. Brian Cox, Brian May - et al .. and I do enjoy listening to them explain things ... cheers Hilary

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  2. Some topics I find hard to understand but I do read them as much hard work goes into writing and researching.
    Well done. I did understand some though.
    Yvonne.

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  3. You're a little over my head too, but it sounds cool.

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  4. Bringing on the Q of thought and being smart... great post on the "Q"...

    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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  5. Great post thank you Stephen. The wave also a particle dependant on the moment of looking. correct me if wrong, wasn't this Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle? I think so ... a valuable contribution to science and mystery.

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  6. I don't understand it, but I'm glad someone does.

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  7. Explain it? I can barely spell it.

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  8. I love quantum mechanics and how you can just throw all the rules over your shoulder before you start looking at it. :) Such amazing stuff. How can anyone not love Schroedinger's cat and all that jazz?
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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  9. Nope. No understand here, but I'd like to learn more about it. Sounds like science fiction and/or the basis for some good stories.

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  10. Quantum Mechanics, that's the most important Q-word, for sure. I did my master thesis on this subject, more specifically the variety called quantum field theory, the theory of elementary particles, which is really cool and entertaining. But then I swapped to geophysics to get an income. The mathematical tool box you learn to master by studying quantum mechanics is useful in any field of science. >:)

    Cold As Heaven

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  11. This is OVER MY HEAD. Quantum Mechanics. hmm. :)

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  12. Quantum physics...mechanics...is too much to wrap my head around. Did you ever watch Quantum Leap? I thought it was a neat show. :)

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  13. So it's the manipulation of matter that gives it the quantum aspect?

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  14. I love this topic, even if to does make the brain hurt. :)

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  15. No I definitely cannot explain it nor even understand it! Mind boggling for me!

    betty

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  16. No, I can't wrap my head around it. It's interesting and kind of unreal.

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  17. I'll keep watching the Big Bang Theory and let them explain it to me. Love Inigo Montoya and Princess Bride reference.

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  18. Always makes me think of Quantum Leap.

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  19. Quantum??? I didn't even know we had'em? My head is ready to explode

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  20. this content is over my head, but I did understand what a quantum failure I am when it comes to physics! Happy Monday! -http://50andfabulousblog.blogspot.com

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  21. I love Quantum Mechanics and quantum physics! My dystopian series, Interchron, is based on concepts from this field. Not that I claim to understand all of them. I just take things that intrigue me and apply it to my stories. This field is just so wonderfully weird and unknown. Great fodder for fiction! :D

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  22. I think quantum everything is above my pay grade. :) Cool Q topic, though!

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  23. Quantum mechanics is one of those things that makes more sense the less I think about it. Whenever I try to go a little deeper, I just confuse myself. And I don't understand how Dr. Chopra asserts that he's qualified to teach us about Quantum science. Don't get me wrong, I personally own a few DVDs and have read several of his books, so I'm actually a fan of his.

    But he's a medical doctor! Hardly qualifies him as an expert.

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  24. Great article, Stephen. I'm beginning to feel like nomad from star trek right about now, lol.Remember him? In the end Captain Kirk told Nomad, You are imperfect!

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  25. I bet Stephen Hawkins understands them. I think my first husband would have done too, he was a physicist.

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  26. As a non-scientist I think that the physicists are trying to understand all this and put quantum m. into the frame work of human time-space. Because of my Baha'i World Faith I believe (can't prove) we are already in eternity. From the perspective of eternity I do believe this could be all be understood - not by me however!

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  27. I don't know anything about quantum mechanics. Can't wait to read about reincarnation, though!

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  28. My husband (a physics/math/chemistry person) has a tee shirt: I am uncertain about Quantum Mechanics...Ha! Ha! Ha! Very well suited for him.

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  29. LOL! There's a joke that if you put the word Quantum in front of anything, you can charge more money for it!
    Maui Jungalow

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