Search
Wave Function
A century ago, quantum physics overthrew our view of a deterministic Universe. A profound 21st century theorem closes the door even further.
There could be variables beyond the ones we've identified and know how to measure. But they can't get rid of quantum weirdness.
Parallel universes are among the most profound notions in all of quantum physics. It's a compelling and fascinating idea, but is it true?
The Multiverse isn't just a staple of science fiction; there's real-life science behind it, too. Here are 10 facts to expand your mind.
Over a century after we first unlocked the secrets of the quantum universe, people find it more puzzling than ever. Can we make sense of it?
Our classical intuition is no good in a quantum Universe. To make sense of it, we need to learn, and apply, an entirely novel set of rules.
Do we actually live in a deterministic Universe, despite quantum physics? An alternative, non-spooky interpretation has now been ruled out.
Discover how Quantum Bayesianism challenges traditional quantum mechanics by focusing on the role of the observer in creating quantum reality.
No matter how good our measurement devices get, certain quantum properties always possess an inherent uncertainty. Can we figure out why?
The Multiverse fuels some of the 21st century's best fiction stories. But its supporting pillars are on extremely stable scientific footing.
The perfectly accessible, perfectly knowable Universe of classical physics is gone forever, no matter what interpretation you choose.
Is it like a tiny ball — or what?
Some processes, like quantum tunneling, have been shown to occur instantaneously. But the ultimate cosmic speed limit remains unavoidable.
The double-slit experiment, hundreds of years after it was first performed, still holds the key mystery at the heart of quantum physics.
Though quantum mechanics is an incredibly successful theory, nobody knows what it means. Scientists now must confront its philosophical implications.
The central equation of quantum mechanics, the Schrödinger equation, is different from the equations found in classical physics.
Quantum superposition challenges our notions of what is real.
For nearly a century, physicists have argued over how to interpret quantum physics. But reality exists independent of any interpretation.
Every proton contains three quarks: two up and one down. But charm quarks, heavier than the proton itself, have been found inside. How?
Quantum entanglement may remain spooky, but it has a very practical side.
No matter how good our measurement devices get, certain quantum properties always possess an inherent uncertainty. Can we figure out why?
Lasers are all around you. This ubiquitous technology came from our understanding of quantum physics.
Humans who've lived through the same events often remember them differently. Could quantum physics be responsible?
And can we devise an experiment to tell, even when we aren’t looking? One of the most bizarre aspects of quantum physics is that the fundamental entities that make up the […]
The act of observing doesn’t just determine a previously indeterminate state, but can destroy information, too. Imagine that you’re a scientist attempting to understand reality at a fundamental level. How […]
Often viewed as a theoretical, calculational tool only, the Lamb Shift proved their existence. If you spend enough time listening to theoretical physicists, it starts to sound like there are […]
Quantum physics just keeps getting weirder, even as it gets more fascinating. “Is it a wave or is it a particle?” Never has such a simple question had such a […]
It’s perhaps the most famous thought experiment in all of physics, but is full of popular myths and misconceptions. One of the most bizarre ideas about the quantum Universe is […]
Even physicists sometimes fall for these. For centuries, the laws of physics seemed completely deterministic. If you knew where every particle was, how fast it was moving, and what the forces […]
The double-slit experiment, all these years later, still holds the key mystery at the heart of quantum physics. When we divide up matter into the smallest possible chunks that it’s made […]