What is quantum mechanics?
Quantum mechanics is a theory that describes the dynamics or how things move at the microscopic level. It is a branch of mechanics in physics; we generally deal with three types of mechanics first is classical mechanics, second is statistical mechanics, and finally, quantum mechanics.
Do you know the difference between classical and quantum mechanics?
Let’s try to understand with a simple example.
Suppose you have to study the motion of a box. Classical mechanics says that if you want to study the motion of a box, all you have to do is to study just one point of this box and that one special point is the centre of mass, where all the mass of the box or the body is considered to be present.
In quantum physics, objects are considered as neither particles nor waves; they are a strange combination of both. Their movement is represented in the form of matter waves.
In classical physics, two bombs with identical fuses should explode at the same time. But, In quantum theory, two absolutely identical radioactive atoms can and generally will explode at two different times.
For example, two identical atoms of uranium-235 will undergo radioactive decay separated by billions of years, despite the fact that they are identical.
The most popular thought experiment of Quantum Theory:
Schrödinger’s Cat – It is the world’s most popular thought experiment. Erwin Schrödinger explains how a cat in a box could be in an uncertain predicament and which illustrates a paradox of quantum superposition. According to the rules of quantum theory, The cat could be both dead and alive until the box was opened and the cat’s state measured.
Correspondence principle – Most physicists believe that in quantum theory, even though many details are yet to be worked out. Classical physics can be derived from quantum physics in the limit that the quantum properties are hidden. Thank You