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Encyclopedia > Quantum superposition

Quantum superposition is the application of the superposition principle to quantum mechanics. The superposition principle is the addition of the amplitudes of waves from interference. In quantum mechanics it is the amplitudes of wavefunctions, or state vectors, that add. It occurs when an object simultaneously "possesses" two or more values for an observable quantity (e.g. the position or energy of a particle). In physics, the principle of superposition states that, for a linear system, a linear combination of solutions to the system is also a solution to the same linear system. ... For a non-technical introduction to the topic, please see Introduction to Quantum mechanics. ... Interference of two circular waves - Wavelength (decreasing bottom to top) and Wave centers distance (increasing to the right). ... This article discusses the concept of a wavefunction as it relates to quantum mechanics. ... Quite literally, quantum state describes the state of a quantum system. ... A particle is Look up Particle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary In particle physics, a basic unit of matter or energy. ...


More specifically, in quantum mechanics, any observable quantity corresponds to an eigenstate of a Hermitian linear operator. The linear combination of two or more eigenstates results in quantum superposition of two or more values of the quantity. If the quantity is measured, the projection postulate states that the state will be randomly collapsed onto one of the values in the superposition (with a probability proportional to the square of the amplitude of that eigenstate in the linear combination). For a non-technical introduction to the topic, please see Introduction to Quantum mechanics. ... In linear algebra, the eigenvectors (from the German eigen meaning inherent, characteristic) of a linear operator are non-zero vectors which, when operated on by the operator, result in a scalar multiple of themselves. ... A number of mathematical entities are named Hermitian, after the mathematician Charles Hermite: Hermitian matrix Hermitian operator Hermitian adjoint Hermitian form Hermitian metric See also: self-adjoint This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... In mathematics, a linear transformation (also called linear operator or linear map) is a function between two vector spaces that respects the arithmetical operations addition and scalar multiplication defined on vector spaces, or, in other words, it preserves linear combinations. Definition and first consequences Formally, if V and W are...


The question naturally arose as to why "real" (macroscopic, Newtonian) objects and events do not seem to display quantum mechanical features such as superposition. In 1935, Erwin Schrödinger devised a well-known thought experiment, now known as Schrödinger's cat, which highlighted the dissonance between quantum mechanics and Newtonian physics. Erwin Schrödinger, as depicted on the former Austrian 1000 Schilling bank note. ... Schrödingers Cat: If the nucleus decays, the geiger counter will sense it and trigger the release of the gas. ... Classical mechanics is a model of the physics of forces acting upon bodies. ...


In fact, quantum superposition does result in many directly observable effects, such as interference peaks from an electron wave in a double-slit experiment. Interference of two circular waves - Wavelength (decreasing bottom to top) and Wave centers distance (increasing to the right). ... Properties The electron is a lightweight fundamental subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge. ... A wave is a disturbance that propagates through space, often transferring energy. ... The double-slit experiment consists of letting light diffract through two slits producing fringes on a screen. ...


If two observables correspond to noncommutative operators, they obey an uncertainty principle and a distinct state of one observable corresponds to a superposition of many states for the other observable. In mathematics, especially abstract algebra, a binary operation * on a set S is commutative if x * y = y * x for all x and y in S. Otherwise * is noncommutative. ... The Heisenberg uncertainty principle or just uncertainty principle (sometimes also the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle - a name given to it by N. Bohr) is one of the cornerstones of quantum mechanics. ...


See also


  Results from FactBites:
 
Quantum superposition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (270 words)
Quantum superposition is the application of the superposition principle to quantum mechanics.
The superposition principle is the addition of the amplitudes of waves from interference.
In quantum mechanics it is the amplitudes of wavefunctions, or state vectors, that add.
Quantum Consciousness . Stuart Hameroff (2321 words)
The boundary between the quantum and classical worlds is unclear, and the transition between the two is commonly described as quantum state reduction, collapse of the wave function, or decoherence.
Early quantum experiments led to the conclusion that quantum superpositions persisted until measured or observed by a conscious observer, that "consciousness collapsed the wave function".
The theory of decoherence reconciles the Copenhagen interpretation with quantum superpositions in the absence of measurement or conscious observation.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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