‘Share this ‘This article was reviewed by a member of 1 Quan Prysies Quantum physics is the study of matter and energy at the most fundamental level. It aims to uncover the properties and behaviors of the very building blocks of nature. \While many quantum experiments examine very small objec, suchas electrons and photons, quantum phenomena are all around us, acing on every scale. However, we may ot be able to detect them easly in larger objects. This may give the wrong impression that ‘quantum phenomens are bizare or otherworldly In fac, quantum science closes gaps in ‘our knowledge of physics to give us a more complete picture of our everyday lives. ‘Quantum discoveries have been incorporated into our foundational understanding of ‘materials, chemistry, biology, and astronomy. These discoveries area valuable resou innovation, suchas lasers and transistors, and enabling real progress con technologies once considered purely speculative, such as Physicists are exploring the potential of quantum science to transform our view of gravity ‘and its connection to space and ‘ime. Quantum science may evan reveal how everything in the universe (orn mutiple universes) is connected to everything else through higher imensions that our senses cannot comprehenc. The Origins of Quantum Physics‘The field of quantum physics arose inthe late 1800 and early 1900s from a series of experimental observations of atoms that didnt make intutve sense inthe context of classical physics. Among the basic discoveries was the reazation that matter and eneray can be thought of as clsrete packets, or quanta, that have a minimum value associated wah them, For example, Iignt ofa fixed frequency will deliver energy in quanta called "photons." Each photon a his frequency wil have the same amount of energy, and this energy cant be broken down into smaller tins n fac, the word “quantum” has Latin roots ‘and means "how much.” ‘Knowledge of quantum principles transformed our conceptualzation ofthe atom, which consists ofa nucleus surrounded by slectrons. Early models depicted electrons as particles ‘hat oroted the nsclous, much Ik the way satelltes orbit Earth. Modern quantum physics instead understands electrons as being distributed within orbitals, mathematical descriptions that represent he probability of the electrons’ existence in more than one location within @ given range at any given time. Electrons can jump from one orbital to anather as they gain orlose energy, bu they cannot be found between ortitals. (other central concepts helped to establish the foundations of quantum physics + Wave-patcle duality: This principle dates back tothe earliest days of quantum science. It descrbes the outcomes of experiments that showed that ight and matter ha the propertie of patces or waves, depending on how they were measured, Today, we understand that these diferent forms of energy ae actualy nether particle ‘por wave, They ae distinct quantum objects that we cannet easily conceptualize. + Superposition: Thies a term used te describe an object as a combination of muttile possible statos at tho same time. A superposed object is analogous to ripple on the surface of pond thats a combination of two waves overlapping. In a mathematical sense, an object in superposition can be represarted by an equation tna has more than one soktion or outcome, + Uncertainty erncile: This is @ mathematical concept that represents a trade-off between complementary points of view. In physics, this means that two proper of ‘an objec, such as its poston and velcty, cannot both be precisely known atthe same ime. Ife precisely measure the positon of an electron, for example, we willbe lerited in how precisely we can know ts speed. + Entanglement: This isa phenomenon that occurs when two or more abject are connected in such a way that they can be thought of as a single system, even they ‘are very far apart. The state of ene object in that system cant be fuly described without information on the state ofthe ather object, Likewise, learning information about one obect automaticaly tos you something about the other and vie versa Mathematics and the Probabilistic Nature of Quantum Objects {Because many ofthe concepts of quantum physics are dificult nt impossible for us to vsualizo, mathematcs 's essential othe fel. Equations are used to describe or help predict quantum objects ané phenamena in ways that are more exact than what our Imaginations ean conjure Mathematics is also necessary to represent the probabilistic nature of quantum phenomena, For example, tho poston of an electron may not be known exactly. Instoad, it may be ‘scribed as being Ina range of possible locations (such as within an ora, with each locaton associated wih a probabil of nding the elocon there Given their probabilistic nature, quantum objects are often deseribed using mathematical "wave functions,” which are solutions to what is known as the Schddinger equation, Waves In water can be characterized by the changing height ofthe water as the wave moves past a sot pol, Simialy, sound waves can be characterized by the changing compression oF ‘expansion of ar molecules as they move pasta point. Wave functions dont track with physical property inthis way, The soition tothe wave functions provide the Iikelnoods of \wnere an observer might find a particular object over a range of potential options. However,Dive Deeper just asa ripple ina pond or note played on a trumpet are spread out and not confined to ‘one location, quantum objects can also be in mukipleplaces—and take on different states, {as n the case of superposition —at once. Observation of Quantum Objects ‘The act of observation isa topic of considerable discussion in quantum physics. Early inthe fold, scientists wore bafed to find that simply observing an experiment inuenced the outcome. For example, an electron acted tke a wave when not observed, but the act of ‘observing it caused the wave to collapse (or, more accurately, “decohere") and the electron to behave instead ike a particle. Seientsts now aparecate thal the term “observation” ie misleading inthis context, suggesting that consciousness is involved. Instead, measurement” bttor describes th otfect, in which a change in outcome may be caused by interaction between the quantum phenemenen and the extemal environment, including the device used to measure the phenomenon. Even this connection has caveats, though, and a full understanding of te relationship between measurement and outcome is sil needed. CO) ‘dt Game ya a ge The Double-Slit Experiment Perhaps the most defnve experiment in the fled of quantum physis is the double-sit ‘experiment. This experiment, which Involves shooting paticies such as photons or electons ‘hough a barrier with two sits, was orighnaly used in 1801 to show that ight Is made up of waves, Since then, numerous Incamations of the experiment have been used to ‘demonstrate that mater can also behave Ike a wave and to denonstate the principles of superposion, entanglement, and te observer effet. ‘The fold of quantum science may seem mysterious ological, butt describes everything around us, whethor we realize i or not. Hamessing the powor of quantum physi gives rise tornew technologies, both for applcations wn usa today and for those that may be available (nto futureWhy Are Soap Bubbles So Colorful? CCharlle Marcus Knows That Quantum Iridescence exp! sd by wave theory Facts Aren't Complicated and quantum electrodynamics Caltech