Superposition allows particles to exist in multiple states from "summary" of The Quantum Universe by Brian Cox,Jeff Forshaw
The idea that particles can exist in multiple states at the same time is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. This concept is known as superposition. It is a bizarre and counterintuitive idea, but it lies at the heart of the quantum world. Superposition allows particles to be in a combination of different states simultaneously. This means that a particle can exist in two or more states at once until it is measured or observed. When a measurement is made, the particle collapses into one of the possible states, revealing its true nature at that moment. One of the most famous illustrations of superposition is 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 the box is opened and the cat is observed, it is in a superposition of being both alive and dead. Superposition is not limited to cats or macroscopic objects; it applies to subatomic particles as well. For instance, an electron can exist in a superposition of spin-up and spin-down states until a measurement is made. This phenomenon has been confirmed through numerous experiments in the field of quantum physics. The ability of particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously has significant implications for the way we understand the behavior of matter on the smallest scales. It challenges our classical intuition and requires us to rethink our assumptions about the nature of reality. Superposition is a key feature of the quantum world and is essential for explaining the strange and fascinating phenomena that occur at the subatomic level.
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