Fundamentals of Quantum Physics

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What is quantum physics?

Quantum physics is the branch of science that deals with discrete, indivisible units of energy called quanta as they apply to the properties of elementary particles.

What is a quantum?

A quantum is the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction.

What is superposition in quantum physics?

Superposition is a principle that states that a quantum system can exist in multiple states or realities at once until it is measured.

What is an example of quantum superposition?

An example of quantum superposition is Schrödinger's cat, a thought experiment where a cat in a box is simultaneously considered alive and dead until observed.

Define entanglement in the context of quantum physics.

Entanglement is a phenomenon where particles become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of another, regardless of distance.

What is a quantum state?

A quantum state is the state of an isolated quantum mechanical system, usually represented by a wave function.

Who is known as one of the founding fathers of quantum theory?

Max Planck is considered one of the founding fathers of quantum theory for his discovery of energy quanta.

What is Planck's constant?

Planck's constant is a fundamental constant that relates the energy carried by a photon to its frequency. It is approximately 6.626 x 10^-34 Js.

What does the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle state?

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that it is impossible to know both the position and the momentum of a particle with absolute precision.

What does the concept of wave-particle duality explain?

Wave-particle duality explains that every particle or quantum entity exhibits both wave and particle properties.

What experiment demonstrates the wave nature of electrons?

The double-slit experiment demonstrates the wave nature of electrons, showing interference patterns typical of waves.

What is a quantum leap?

A quantum leap is a sudden transition of an electron from one energy level to another within an atom.

Name a technology that utilizes principles of quantum physics.

MRI machines use principles of quantum physics, particularly nuclear magnetic resonance.

What is quantum tunneling?

Quantum tunneling is a quantum phenomenon where particles pass through a potential barrier that they classically shouldn't be able to.

How does quantum computing utilize the principles of quantum physics?

Quantum computing uses quantum bits or qubits to perform calculations based on the principles of superposition and entanglement, which allows for potentially vast computational power.