Category Archives: Quantum Theory

Q: If the universe gets split in the Many Worlds Interpretation, then why aren’t all probabilities 50/50? Does stuff get spread thinner and thinner with each split?

The original question from “A” was: I’m reading Sean Carroll’s book Something Deeply Hidden, which is entirely about Many Worlds, and I’m following along for the most part, but there’s something I still don’t understand. […] Carroll considers an example … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Paranoia, Philosophical, Physics, Quantum Theory, Skepticism | 12 Comments

Q: What if the particles in the double slit experiment were conscious? Could you ask them which slit they went through afterwards?

The original question was: I find the double slit experiment super interesting and have lots of questions about it. But here’s one. What if the particles you send through the slits are conscious? You send them through without measuring anything, … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Paranoia, Philosophical, Physics, Quantum Theory | 17 Comments

A Quantum Computation Course

Physicist: I’ve been a little busy to post much here for a while, but you may be interested in what I’m working on, so here it is.  I’m teaching an introductory course on quantum information and computation, and the primary … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Computer Science, Entropy/Information, Experiments, Math, Philosophical, Physics, Probability, Quantum Theory | 9 Comments

Q: Why are the laws of quantum mechanics so strange? Does it mean that we’re missing something?

Physicist: We’re definitely missing something, but we’re always missing something.  One of the most famous quotes about quantum physics, often used in lieu of a shrug, is due to St. Feynman: “If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Evolution, Paranoia, Philosophical, Physics, Quantum Theory | 22 Comments

Q: What is quantum supremacy? Is it awesome or worrisome?

Physicist: Mostly awesome.  Eventually. Recently, some of the folk at Google claimed to have achieved “quantum supremacy” (here’s what they had to say about it).  Google has, like many other big companies and nations, been very gung-ho about research into … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Computer Science, Engineering, Quantum Theory | 9 Comments

Q: Can you beat the uncertainty principle using entanglement, by measuring position on one particle and momentum on the other?

Physicist: The Uncertainty Principle is a little subtle.  Most folk are introduced to it as “the more precisely you measure the position of a particle, the less precisely you can measure its momentum, and vice versa”.  That makes it sound … Continue reading

Posted in -- By the Physicist, Physics, Quantum Theory | 7 Comments