Simplifying this is hard because analogy doesn't really work given how weird the quantum world is.
The first thing to understand is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle
Basically the more we know about one aspect of a particle the less we know about the other aspects.
OK with the basics out of the way, the light in the laser is in a superposition, as it hits the glass bead, for simplification purposes we'll say it could push the bead to the left or the right (the real experiment involves three dimensions), but it's direction depends on the quantum state of the light in the beam. Since the light is in a superposition and the location of the bead is dependent on the light, the bead is forced into a quantum super position, effectively placing it in two (or more) positions at once. I've simplified what I could, but that's the gist.
It is not creating something from nothing. The two 'things' are literally the same 'thing'. They are one. Also, it's not limited to 2, it could be any numbers. This is a phenomenal call quantum super-positioning. Where all possibile states (in this case positions) overlap.
The ball is super small. When things are that small, the laws of physics change up a bit. The lazer beam is shooting actual particles at the ball, which have the ability to move it.
This is saying that they may be able to move the ball to the left AND the right simultaneously, creating two instances of the same thing.
An analogy would be like running from one spot to another, 5 feet away, so insanely fast that you appear to be in both places at the same time (Dragonball Z comes to mind). Speed up how fast you move back and forth and you can reach a point where it's impossible to tell which spot you are in, in which case you are in both at the same time, like you cloned yourself.
In this case, the ball is moving back and forth and the inconsistencies and speed of the light beam are what are pushing it fast enough to be considered in both places at once.
1to1Jul 19, 2011Buried
Quantum mechanics always amazes me.. theory of being a particle and wave may make this dual existence possible...
anomaly100Jul 19, 2011Buried
Unpossible!
anomaly100Jul 19, 2011Buried
Unpossible!
matthrJul 19, 2011Buried
Simplifying this is hard because analogy doesn't really work given how weird the quantum world is.
The first thing to understand is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle
Basically the more we know about one aspect of a particle the less we know about the other aspects.
Which after some logic and experimental data leads us to believe that until it's observed particles are in a superposition where they exists at all possible positions. The most famous thought experiment on this is Schrödinger's cat,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_superposition
OK with the basics out of the way, the light in the laser is in a superposition, as it hits the glass bead, for simplification purposes we'll say it could push the bead to the left or the right (the real experiment involves three dimensions), but it's direction depends on the quantum state of the light in the beam. Since the light is in a superposition and the location of the bead is dependent on the light, the bead is forced into a quantum super position, effectively placing it in two (or more) positions at once. I've simplified what I could, but that's the gist.
erik1421Jul 20, 2011Buried
Oh I got it...
erik1421Jul 20, 2011Buried
Oh I got it...
lbubenJul 19, 2011Buried
Always wanted to be at 2 places at the same time...
norleJul 19, 2011Buried
No miracles. Just science.
anomaly100Jul 21, 2011Buried
Lookie! You were in 2 places at once too.
adventuvengerJul 19, 2011Buried
Can someone dumb this down for me? I know it's not possible but i understood it creates a duplicate of something from nothing..?
aq1018Jul 19, 2011Buried
It is not creating something from nothing. The two 'things' are literally the same 'thing'. They are one. Also, it's not limited to 2, it could be any numbers. This is a phenomenal call quantum super-positioning. Where all possibile states (in this case positions) overlap.
katetierJul 19, 2011Buried
What was it Firesign Theatre said?
dkonigsbachJul 20, 2011Buried
...when you're not anywhere at all? Love it! Thanks!
cowicideJul 20, 2011Buried
No Jeebus required.
effyochickenJul 20, 2011Buried
The ball is super small. When things are that small, the laws of physics change up a bit. The lazer beam is shooting actual particles at the ball, which have the ability to move it.
This is saying that they may be able to move the ball to the left AND the right simultaneously, creating two instances of the same thing.
An analogy would be like running from one spot to another, 5 feet away, so insanely fast that you appear to be in both places at the same time (Dragonball Z comes to mind). Speed up how fast you move back and forth and you can reach a point where it's impossible to tell which spot you are in, in which case you are in both at the same time, like you cloned yourself.
In this case, the ball is moving back and forth and the inconsistencies and speed of the light beam are what are pushing it fast enough to be considered in both places at once.
uomodisperanzaJul 19, 2011Buried
Keep this attitude! Humanity must believe that it is entitled to discovering the world's mysteries!
skinturtleJul 19, 2011Buried
We're capable of anything is the problem
uomodisperanzaJul 19, 2011Buried
We'll only fulfill our capabilities to do beneficial things if we insure that we are discovering without hurting the world.
dooglas56Jul 19, 2011Buried
teleporting glass globes. awesome.
zzinsider666Jul 19, 2011Buried
awesome:)