Classical physics, which existed before the invention of quantum mechanics, describes nature on an ordinary (macroscopic) scale. Most theories in classical physics can be deduced as an approximation that operates on a scale familiar to us. Quantum physics (aka quantum mechanics) differs from classical science in that energy, momentum, angular momentum, and other quantities of a coupled system are limited by discrete values (quantization). Objects have special characteristics both in the form of particles and in the form of waves (duality of wave particles). Also in this science there are limits to the accuracy with which quantities can be measured (the uncertainty principle).
We can say that after the emergence of quantum physics in the exact sciences, a kind of revolution took place, which made it possible to reconsider and analyze all the old laws that were previously considered immutable truths. Is this good or bad? Perhaps it’s good, because genuine science should never stand still.
However, the "quantum revolution" was a kind of blow for physicists of the old school, who had to come to terms with the fact that what they believed in before turned out to be just a set of erroneous and archaic theories that needed urgent revision and adaptation to a new reality. Most physicists enthusiastically accepted these new ideas about a well-known science, contributing to its study, development and implementation. Today, quantum physics sets the dynamics for science as a whole. Advanced experimental projects (like the Large Hadron Collider) arose precisely thanks to her.
Opening
What about the basics of quantum physics? It gradually arose from various theories designed to explain phenomena that could not be consistent with classical physics, for example, Max Planck's solution in 1900 and his approach to the problem of radiation of many scientific problems, as well as the correspondence between energy and frequency in Albert Einstein's article 1905 which explained the photoelectric effects. The early theory of quantum physics was thoroughly revised in the mid-1920s by Erwin Schrödinger, Werner Heisenberg, Max Born and others. The modern theory is formulated in various specially developed mathematical concepts. In one of them, an arithmetic function (or wave function) gives us comprehensive information about the amplitude of the probability of the location of the pulse.
Fundamentals of Quantum Physics for Dummies
Scientific research of the wave essence of light began more than 200 years ago, when the great and recognized scientists of that time proposed, developed and proved the theory of light on the basis of their own experimental observations. They called it wave.
In 1803, the famous English scientist Thomas Young conducted his famous double experiment, as a result of which he wrote the famous work “On the Nature of Light and Color”, which played a huge role in the formation of modern ideas about these phenomena familiar to us all. This experiment played a crucial role in the general acceptance of this theory.
Such experiments are often described in various books, for example, "Fundamentals of quantum physics for dummies." Modern experiments with the acceleration of elementary particles, for example, the search for the Higgs boson in the Large Hadron Collider (abbreviated LHC), are carried out just in order to find practical confirmation of many purely theoretical quantum theories.
History
In 1838, Michael Faraday discovered the cathode rays to the joy of the world. This sensational research was followed by a statement on the problem of radiation, the so-called “black body” (1859), made by Gustav Kirchhoff, as well as the famous assumption of Ludwig Boltzmann that the energy states of any physical system can also be discrete (1877) ) Later, the quantum hypothesis developed by Max Planck (1900) appeared. It is considered one of the foundations of quantum physics. Planck 's bold hypothesis that energy can be either radiated or absorbed in discrete "quanta" (or energy packets) exactly matches the observed patterns of blackbody radiation.
A great contribution to quantum physics was made by the world famous Albert Einstein. Impressed by quantum theories, he developed his own. The general theory of relativity is what it is called. Discoveries in quantum physics influenced the development of a special theory of relativity. Many scientists in the first half of the last century began to engage in this science with the filing of Einstein. She was advanced at that time, everyone liked her, everyone was interested in her. Not surprisingly, it closed so many “holes” in classical physical science (though it also created new ones), offered a scientific justification for time travel, telekinesis, telepathy and parallel worlds.
Observer role
Any event or condition depends directly on the observer. This is usually how the foundations of quantum physics are briefly explained to people far from the exact sciences. However, in reality, everything is much more complicated.
This is in excellent agreement with many occult and religious traditions, which from time immemorial insisted on the ability of people to influence surrounding events. In some ways, this is also the basis for a scientific explanation of extrasensory perception, because now the statement that a person (observer) is able to influence the force of thought on physical events does not seem absurd.
Each eigenstate of the observed event or object corresponds to its own vector of the observer. If the spectrum of the operator (observer) is discrete, the observed object can only reach discrete eigenvalues. That is, the object of observation, as well as its characteristics, is completely determined by this very operator.
Fundamentals of quantum physics in complex words
Unlike generally accepted classical mechanics (or physics), simultaneous predictions of conjugate variables such as position and momentum cannot be made here. For example, electrons can (with a certain probability) be located approximately in a certain region of space, but their mathematically exact position is actually unknown.
Contours of a constant probability density, often called “clouds,” can be drawn around the nucleus of an atom to conceptualize where the electron can be located most likely. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle proves the inability to accurately determine the location of a particle, taking into account its conjugate momentum. Some models in this theory have a purely abstract computational character and do not imply applied value. However, they are often used to calculate complex interactions at the level of subatomic particles and other subtle matters. In addition, this section of physics has allowed scientists to suggest the possibility of the real existence of many worlds. Perhaps soon we will be able to see them.
Wave functions
The laws of quantum physics are very voluminous and diverse. They intersect with the concept of wave functions. Some special wave functions create a scatter of probabilities, which is essentially constant or independent of time, for example, when, in a stationary position of energy, time seems to disappear with respect to the wave function. This is one of the effects of quantum physics, which is fundamental to it. An interesting fact is that the phenomenon of time has been radically revised in this unusual science.
Perturbation theory
However, there are several reliable ways to develop the solutions needed to work with formulas and theories in quantum physics. One of these methods, commonly known as "perturbation theory," uses an analytical result for an elementary quantum-mechanical model. It was created to achieve results from experiments to develop an even more complex model, which is associated with a simpler model. Here is such a recursion.
This approach is especially important in the theory of quantum chaos, which is extremely popular for interpreting various events in microscopic reality.
Rules and Laws
The rules of quantum mechanics are fundamental. They argue that the deployment space of the system is absolutely fundamental (it has a scalar product). Another statement is that the effects observed by this system are at the same time peculiar operators that affect vectors in this medium. However, they do not tell us which Hilbert space or which operators exist at the moment. They can be selected accordingly to obtain a quantitative description of the quantum system.
Meaning and influence
From the moment this unusual science arose, many anti-intuitive aspects and the results of the study of quantum mechanics provoked a loud philosophical debate and many interpretations. Even fundamental questions, such as rules on the calculation of various amplitudes and probability distributions, deserve respect from society and many leading scientists.
Richard Feynman, for example, once sadly remarked that he was not at all sure that any of the scientists even understood quantum mechanics. According to Steven Weinberg, at the moment there is no interpretation of quantum mechanics that would suit everyone. This suggests that scientists have created a "monster", to fully understand and explain the existence of which they themselves are not able to. However, this does not harm the relevance and popularity of this science, but attracts young specialists to it who want to solve really complex and incomprehensible problems.
In addition, quantum mechanics forced a complete review of the objective physical laws of the universe, which is good news.
Copenhagen interpretation
According to this interpretation, the standard definition of causality, known to us from classical physics, is no longer needed. According to quantum theories, causality in the usual sense for us does not exist at all. All physical phenomena in them are explained in terms of the interaction of the smallest elementary particles at the subatomic level. This area, despite its seemingly improbability, is extremely promising.
Quantum psychology
What can be said about the relationship of quantum physics and human consciousness? This is beautifully written in a book written by Robert Anton Wilson in 1990, entitled Quantum Psychology.
According to the theory set forth in the book, all processes occurring in our brain are determined by the laws described in this article. That is, this is a kind of attempt to adapt the theory of quantum physics to psychology. This theory is considered parascientific and is not recognized by the academic community.
Wilson’s book is noteworthy in that it provides a set of various techniques and practices that to one degree or another prove his hypothesis. One way or another, but the reader must independently decide whether or not he believes the viability of such attempts to apply mathematical and physical models to the humanities.
Some took Wilson's book as an attempt to justify mystical thinking and tie it to scientifically proven newfangled physical formulations. This highly non-trivial and vibrant work has remained in demand for over 100 years. The book is published, translated and read all over the world. Who knows, perhaps, with the development of quantum mechanics, the attitude of the scientific community to quantum psychology will also change.
Conclusion
Thanks to this wonderful theory, which soon became a separate science, we got the opportunity to explore the surrounding reality at the level of subatomic particles. This is the smallest level possible, completely inaccessible to our perception. What physicists used to know about our world needs an urgent revision. Absolutely everyone agrees with this. It became obvious that different particles can interact with each other at completely unimaginable distances, which we can measure only by means of complex mathematical formulas.
In addition, quantum mechanics (and quantum physics) proved the possibility of the existence of many parallel realities, time travel and other things that throughout history have been considered only the destiny of science fiction. This is undoubtedly a huge contribution not only to science, but also to the future of mankind.
For lovers of a scientific picture of the world, this science can be both a friend and an enemy. The fact is that quantum theory opens up wide possibilities for various speculations on a para-scientific topic, as has already been shown by the example of one of the alternative psychological theories. Some modern occultists, esotericists and supporters of alternative religious and spiritual movements (most often psychocultures) turn to the theoretical constructions of this science in order to substantiate the rationality and truth of their mystical theories, beliefs and practices.
This is an unprecedented case when the simple conjectures of theoreticians and abstract mathematical formulas led to a real scientific revolution and created a new science that crossed out everything that was previously known. To some extent, quantum physics has refuted the laws of Aristotelian logic, since it showed that when choosing "either-or" there is another (and possibly several) alternative option.