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Simple explanation of Double-Slit
disregard creepy scientist
| |
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK 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.
"Electrons act like waves, but no they don't exactly, they act like particles, but no they don't exactly."
the whole time I was like meh, until he said the observing shit. Then I shat myself.
#142
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iamphoenix ONLINE (06/01/2012) [+]
(1 reply)
Quantum Mechanics: If you're not confused, you don't get it.