Particles exist in multiple states until observed from "summary" of The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
In the strange world of quantum mechanics, particles can exist in a curious state of limbo, where they seem to be in multiple states simultaneously. This bizarre phenomenon is known as superposition, and it challenges our everyday notions of reality. When a particle is not being observed, it can exist in a combination of different possible states, with each state having a certain probability of being observed when the particle is finally measured. This idea was famously illustrated by the thought experiment known as Schrödinger's cat. In this scenario, a cat is placed in a box with a vial of poison that will be released if a radioactive atom decays. According to quantum mechanics, until someone opens the box and observes the cat, it is in a superposition of being both alive and dead. Only when the box is opened does the cat "choose" one of these states, based on the outcome of the quantum measurement. This concept of superposition extends beyond just particles and cats. It applies to everything in the quantum realm, from atoms to m...
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