Week 3

Welcome to the fascinating world of Quantum Physics, where particles defy classical physics and the laws of nature bend in strange ways. Dive deep into concepts like Superposition, Entanglement, and the Uncertainty Principle.

Wave-Particle Duality

One of the most amazing principles is the Wave-Particle Duality of particles like electrons. They behave both like waves and particles, depending on how we observe them. Wave-Particle Duality is a fundamental concept in quantum physics that shows particles, like light and electrons, can behave as both waves and particles depending on how they are observed. Wave-like behavior: In certain experiments, particles behave like waves. For example, when light or electrons pass through two slits, they create an interference pattern, similar to ripples in water. This pattern occurs because the particles seem to go through both slits at the same time, behaving like a wave that spreads out and interferes with itself. Particle-like behavior: However, when we try to observe which slit the particle goes through, it behaves like a solid particle, passing through just one slit. The interference pattern disappears, and we only see the results expected from classical particles. This strange behavior was demonstrated in the double-slit experiment, where the particles' behavior changes based on whether or not they are observed. It reveals that quantum particles don’t fit neatly into the categories of "wave" or "particle" but exhibit characteristics of both, depending on the situation. Wave-particle duality is central to quantum mechanics and explains why at the atomic and subatomic levels, particles can behave in ways that defy classical physics, such as being in multiple states at once or changing based on observation.

Quantum Entanglement

Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of the other, no matter how far apart they are. If one particle’s state is measured, the other’s state is immediately determined, even if they are separated by vast distances. This phenomenon defies classical physics and was famously described by Einstein as "spooky action at a distance." Entanglement plays a crucial role in quantum technologies, including quantum computing and secure quantum communication.

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