Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of atoms at a subatomic level from "summary" of Atoms Under the Floorboards by Chris Woodford
Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of very small things, like atoms. Atoms are the building blocks of everything around us, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. They are incredibly tiny—so small that you couldn't see one with the naked eye even if you tried. Atoms are made up of even smaller particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles are constantly moving and interacting with each other in ways that are not always easy to understand. When it comes to describing the behavior of atoms at this subatomic level, classical physics doesn't quite cut it. Classical physics works well for everyday objects like cars and buildings, but when you start looking at things on the atomic scale, things get a bit weird. That's where quantum mechanics comes in. Quantum mechanics has been around for about a century, but it is still one of the most mind-boggling areas of physics. It describes how particles like electrons can exist in multiple places at once, how they can be both particles and waves at the same time, and how they can influence each other instantaneously over vast distances. One of the key ideas in quantum mechanics is the concept of uncertainty. According to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, it is impossible to know both the exact position and the exact velocity of a particle at the same time. This means that on the atomic scale, things can be a bit fuzzy. Particles don't have definite positions or velocities; instead, they exist in a kind of probability cloud, where they are more likely to be in some places than others. Another strange idea in quantum mechanics is entanglement. When two particles become entangled, their properties become linked in such a way that the state of one particle can instantly affect the state of the other, no matter how far apart they are. This spooky action at a distance is one of the most perplexing aspects of quantum mechanics, and it has yet to be fully explained.- Quantum mechanics provides a fascinating and sometimes baffling look at the behavior of atoms at the subatomic level. It challenges our intuitions about how the world works and forces us to rethink our ideas about reality and causality. While it may be a difficult concept to wrap your head around, it is an essential part of understanding the fundamental nature of the universe.
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