Flashcards on Quantum Foundations and Interpretations
Click on the flashcard to see the answer
What is quantum mechanics?
Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that describes the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels.
What is wave-particle duality?
Wave-particle duality is the concept that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior.
What is superposition?
Superposition is the principle that states particles can exist in multiple states or positions simultaneously.
What is the uncertainty principle?
The uncertainty principle states that there is a limit to how precisely certain pairs of physical properties of a particle can be known simultaneously.
What is quantum entanglement?
Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two or more particles become linked and their states are dependent on each other, regardless of the distance between them.
What is the measurement problem in quantum mechanics?
The measurement problem in quantum mechanics refers to the challenge of understanding how the act of measurement affects a particle's behavior and determines its state.
What is the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics?
The Copenhagen interpretation is a widely accepted interpretation of quantum mechanics that maintains that the probability of various outcomes is determined by wavefunctions that collapse upon measurement.
What is the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics?
The many-worlds interpretation suggests that every possible outcome of a quantum event actually occurs in a separate universe, resulting in a multitude of parallel universes.
What is the pilot-wave theory?
The pilot-wave theory, also known as the de Broglie-Bohm theory, proposes that particles have definite positions and follow definite trajectories, guided by a pilot wave.
What is the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics?
The transactional interpretation suggests that quantum wavefunctions describe both the emission and absorption of particles, with offers and confirmations of 'transaction' between the past and future states of the system.
What is quantum decoherence?
Quantum decoherence is the process by which quantum systems interact with their environment, causing superpositioned states to become mixed or 'decohered'.
What is the role of observation in quantum mechanics?
Observation plays a crucial role in quantum mechanics, as the act of measurement collapses the wavefunction and determines the outcome of an experiment.
What is the EPR paradox?
The EPR (Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen) paradox is a thought experiment that points out a potential conflict between the principles of quantum mechanics and local realism.
What are the implications of quantum mechanics?
The implications of quantum mechanics include the development of new technologies such as quantum computing and cryptography, as well as philosophical questions about the nature of reality and determinism.
What is the observer effect?
The observer effect refers to how the act of observing or measuring a system affects the system itself, often leading to a change in its behavior.