Simple explanation of Double-Slit
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#2
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darklucius (05/31/2012) [-] WHAT THE ACTUAL **** IS GOING ON WITH THESE ELECTRONS?
Also, it's possible that the interference caused by whatever device they used to tell which slit the electron went through disrupted the wave function, since in order to measure something you must interfere with it...
Also, it's possible that the interference caused by whatever device they used to tell which slit the electron went through disrupted the wave function, since in order to measure something you must interfere with it...
#3 to #2
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ClicheUsername (05/31/2012) [-]
The whole idea, or at least one theory of quantum mechanics, states that the electrons act as both a wave and a particle at the same time, known as wave-particle duality. It is not until the electron is observed that the wave-function collapses and it is then determined whether it is traveling as a wave or a particle.
A good one to think of it is to take a marble and place it under 1 of 3 cups. Now, a person comes up and does not know what cup the marble is under. So, technically, the marble (particle) is occupying all three of the cups (wave) in a superposition state, meaning it is taking on all possibilities that it can have. Now, pick one cup up and reveal that the marble is not under it. This observation causes the wave-function, or the probability of how the particle (marble) is acting to collapse and become more precise. Pick up another cup and find that the marble is or is not under that cup and the wave-function collapses even more until it is completely defined.
Another good way to think of this is to put it on another macroscopic scale. Image looking straight forward. Now, it is common to believe that everything that is behind you and you cannot see is still there, even though you cannot see it. However, in a quantum mechanics perspective, you do not know if the things behind you are there or not and you will not be able to tell until you either look behind you, hear something behind you or feel something behind you. This verifies that it truly is there or else we just common accept that it is.
A good one to think of it is to take a marble and place it under 1 of 3 cups. Now, a person comes up and does not know what cup the marble is under. So, technically, the marble (particle) is occupying all three of the cups (wave) in a superposition state, meaning it is taking on all possibilities that it can have. Now, pick one cup up and reveal that the marble is not under it. This observation causes the wave-function, or the probability of how the particle (marble) is acting to collapse and become more precise. Pick up another cup and find that the marble is or is not under that cup and the wave-function collapses even more until it is completely defined.
Another good way to think of this is to put it on another macroscopic scale. Image looking straight forward. Now, it is common to believe that everything that is behind you and you cannot see is still there, even though you cannot see it. However, in a quantum mechanics perspective, you do not know if the things behind you are there or not and you will not be able to tell until you either look behind you, hear something behind you or feel something behind you. This verifies that it truly is there or else we just common accept that it is.
#67 to #3
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HARDSTYLESHUFFLER (06/01/2012) [-] Now, I haven't taken basic physics yet, seeing as how I just finished my sophomore year in high school, but would the Schrodinger's cat experiment be similar to this? I don't mean so much as in the difference of the wave and particle, but that the cat is both alive and dead. I don't really know anything to do with physics or quantum mechanics, so please correct if me I am wrong, which I most likely am. lol
#92 to #67
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ClicheUsername (06/01/2012) [-]
If you are going to take basic physics, you are most likely only going to concern yourself with Newtonian physics which includes kinematics (gravity, forces and movement), maybe some point charges and waves. This form of physics is considered more modern as it was really discovered in the 1900s by Einstein and Neils Bohr.
Anywho, for Schrodinger cat, the same idea can be applied.
In Schrodingers theoretical experiment, a cat is placed in a box that contains a vial of poison. If the vial breaks, the cat will die instantaneously and we do not know if the vial will break or will not, it is completely random. Now since the cat is inside the box with vial, we can not observe the cat, so it is technically alive AND dead at the same time to us because we can not make a definite conclusion. This puts the cat in a state of superposition where it is taking on all possibilities that it can. After opening the box and observing that the vial broke, we would find the cat dead and the wave-function of the cat would collapse to one definite answer. On the other hand, we could open the box and find the vial intact and the cat alive, thus causing the wave-function of the cat to collapse in the other direction.
These examples and theoretical experiments all do the job of taking the quantum world that we cannot see and puts it on a level that we understand and that we are familiar with.
Quantum Physics is definitely a very interesting subject and I can go on and on about it. All the theories of Quantum Mechanics are pretty interesting and have many valid arguments that can be believed, but no one theory has yet to cover it all.
Anywho, for Schrodinger cat, the same idea can be applied.
In Schrodingers theoretical experiment, a cat is placed in a box that contains a vial of poison. If the vial breaks, the cat will die instantaneously and we do not know if the vial will break or will not, it is completely random. Now since the cat is inside the box with vial, we can not observe the cat, so it is technically alive AND dead at the same time to us because we can not make a definite conclusion. This puts the cat in a state of superposition where it is taking on all possibilities that it can. After opening the box and observing that the vial broke, we would find the cat dead and the wave-function of the cat would collapse to one definite answer. On the other hand, we could open the box and find the vial intact and the cat alive, thus causing the wave-function of the cat to collapse in the other direction.
These examples and theoretical experiments all do the job of taking the quantum world that we cannot see and puts it on a level that we understand and that we are familiar with.
Quantum Physics is definitely a very interesting subject and I can go on and on about it. All the theories of Quantum Mechanics are pretty interesting and have many valid arguments that can be believed, but no one theory has yet to cover it all.
#96 to #92
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HARDSTYLESHUFFLER (06/01/2012) [-] It seems that ever since this science channel popped up, everyone is showing their true intelligence.
Anyway, thanks for answering my question with a well explained answer.
Anyway, thanks for answering my question with a well explained answer.
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ClicheUsername (06/01/2012) [-]
No problem. Im glad to see that I can explain it well since I will be student teaching next Fall in a Physics classroom. I doubt we will get into this stuff but you never know.
#28 to #3
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jonbiro (05/31/2012) [-]
I do not believe that is an accurate example. I'm not arguing just trying to comprehend what you stated was that it is common to believe since we do not know what cup the marble is in it is in all of them but what the video is showing is that it is a wave without observation meaning that both are possible, but your statement is just a measure of chance.
#93 to #28
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ClicheUsername (06/01/2012) [-]
You need to toss the idea of chance out the window when dealing with Quantum Mechanics on a macroscopic level. The example using a marble and cups was just to try and explain the video in a way that we can be more familiar with as most of us have not completed a double slit experiment.
#65 to #63
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sprudlebass (06/01/2012) [-] i think that can give you cancer... in the end. but i doubt that any humans will live long enough to experience it in the fallout universe.
#82 to #65
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neoexdeath ONLINE (06/01/2012) [-] You're surrounded by radiation at all times, horrifying chemicals line the very soil you tread on, and Gamma Rays permeate the air, while you chat with your Ghoul buddy.
I think most people in Fallout have developed at least a RESISTANCE to Cancer by now
I think most people in Fallout have developed at least a RESISTANCE to Cancer by now
#162
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Counttopotato (06/01/2012) [-] So... does that mean that this comment doesn't exist until you read it?
#8
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bchewey (05/31/2012) [-] the whole time I was like meh, until he said the observing **** . Then I shat myself.
#11
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tomtomat ONLINE (05/31/2012) [-] I really have no idea about this, but, the first thing that popped into my head was Schrödinger's cat. Does that make sense?
