The science of really small things, basically.
For the most part, we understand the world around us. But if we zoom in too much, our knowledge of this universe falls apart.
Quantum mechanics is a physics theory that deals with the motion and interaction of sub-atomic (super tiny) particles. Understanding how sub-atomic particles behave is a crucial part of unlocking all the secrets of our world. The problem is that nothing is definitive in quantum mechanics.
Quantum mechanics has three fundamental concepts: quantization, wave-particle duality, and the uncertainty principle.
Quantization
In classical mechanics, concepts like mass, energy, or momentum could be of any value. The range of these values is continuous and can reach infinity. In quantum mechanics, some values like mass or energy can only take a certain, pre-determined value. For example, think of an electron and its properties: mass, charge, spin, orbital momentum. All these values have set values that can only change by a multiple of the original value. The idea of quantization can also be applied to electromagnetic radiation, like light, which comes in discrete values known as photons (a singular photon is known as a quantum).
Wave-Particle Duality
At one point in time, light can act like a wave. But at another point in time, it can be a particle. But why?
To be honest, scientists aren’t quite sure. Whether it is a particle or a wave depends on the experiment being done. The debate of whether or not a light was a wave or particle was one of physics’s greatest debates. The works of prominent quantum physicists seem to confirm that any quantum can either act as a particle or wave. One of the most common interpretations of wave-particle duality is that the wave represents all the possibilities of finding a given particle at a singular point at a certain time. To make it even more complicated, it’s possible to describe mass as waves under certain circumstances.
The Uncertainty Principle
Subatomic particles are all around us. But if we wanted to try to find one, the certainty of finding one in a particular place and time is zero. We can only attempt to predict where a particle is but we are never certain. There is a fundamental limit to how much we can know about a certain particle, The more certain we are in one aspect (say position) the less certain we are in another (like speed). For example, if we wanted to take a photo of an electron in a certain place, the light needed to capture the photo would give the particle energy, causing it to change velocity. This paradox is a consequence of wave-particle duality.
This article was meant to teach you about quantum mechanics, but you’re probably left feeling really confused (Don’t worry, I am too). The truth is that quantum mechanics is fascinating, but also extremely complicated. Even the famous physicist Richard Feynman once said “Nobody understands quantum mechanics.” The ideas of quantum mechanics go far beyond any article, so I encourage you to do your own research and delve into the world of very small (and confusing) things.
Thanks for reading!
Written by Kaylee Barrera
Sources
Coolman, Robert. “What Is Quantum Mechanics?” Livescience.Com, 26 Sept. 2014, https://www.livescience.com/33816-quantum-mechanics-explanation.html.
M. S., Mathematics Education, and Physics B. A. “What You Need to Know About Wave-Particle Duality.” ThoughtCo, https://www.thoughtco.com/wave-particle-duality-2699037. Accessed 28 Sept. 2021.
Quantum Mechanics. https://www.pbs.org/transistor/science/info/quantum.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2021.
“The Quantum World Is Mind-Bogglingly Weird.” Science News for Students, 14 Sept. 2017, https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/quantum-world-mind-bogglingly-weird.
Comments