Superposition and other quantum stuff

[dpuckett]

THis got started in the "it's alive when... . " thread, and the discussion between HoleshotHolset and me got too off track, so I started a new thread. Basically, superposition is the theory of being able to have one particle (atom, proton, neutron, neutrino, etc) occupty two points in space at once. I can kind of see a little through the thick mud. When I have time, I'm going to have to look up quantum mechanics and high energy and the laws therof. You can find the article at www.sciam.com. Hit superposition in the search engine at the upper left. If anyone can tell me how to post the link on Internet Explorer/ Windows XP, post it here, and I'll give it s shot.

 

[illflem]

Is this the article you're refering to?

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0009C400-BED3-1C73-9B81809EC588EF21&pageNumber=1&catID=2

 

[dpuckett]

I believe so. I was reading it in the magazine when out at my cousin's house last week (from which we saw a dozen fireworks displays around Colo Spgs). It may have been something else. I'll have to look around the site some more. I'm on a friend's computer, and it is rather slow.

 

[dpuckett]

finally got around to it

Here is a link to a page that gives a general overview of quantum mechanics.

http://www-theory.chem.washington.edu/~trstedl/quantum/quantum.html



Basically, the laws of physics, invented by Gallileo, Newton, et al, are only accurate on a macroscopic scale at speeds way less than the speed of light. The theory of Quantum Mechanics covers the micorscopic sub atomic level. It deals more with the probability of finding a particle at a certain position in time rather than trace the path of the particle, which is impossible, due to the fact that in trying to measure the particle, we alter its path and behavior.

Here's another

http://www.mtnmath.com/faq/meas-qm.html



Daniel