Classical physics, which existed before the invention of quantum mechanics, describes nature on an ordinary (macroscopic) scale. Most of the theories in classical physics can be deduced as an approximation operating on the scales we are accustomed to. Quantum physics (it is also quantum mechanics) differs from classical science in that the energy, momentum, angular momentum, and other quantities of a coupled system are limited to 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 (uncertainty principle).
It can be said 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 indisputable truths. Is this good or bad? Perhaps a good thing, because true science should never stand still.
However, the "quantum revolution" has becomea kind of blow for old-school physicists, 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 in need of 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 all science as a whole. It is thanks to her that cutting-edge experimental projects (like the Large Hadron Collider) arose.
Opening
What can be said about the foundations of quantum physics? It gradually emerged from various theories designed to explain phenomena that could not be reconciled with classical physics, such as Max Planck's solution in 1900 and his approach to the radiation problem of many scientific problems, and the correspondence between energy and frequency in a 1905 paper by Albert Einstein, which explained photoelectric effects. The early theory of quantum physics was thoroughly revised in the mid-1920s by Erwin Schrödinger, Werner Heisenberg, Max Born and others. Modern theory is formulated in various specially developed mathematical concepts. In one of them, the arithmetic function (or wave function) gives us comprehensive information about the amplitude of the impulse location probability.
Fundamentals of quantum physics for dummies
Scientific study of the waveThe 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 based on 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 shaping modern ideas about these familiar phenomena. This experiment played a major 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 at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC for short) is carried out precisely in order to find practical confirmation of many purely theoretical quantum theories.
History
In 1838, Michael Faraday, to the delight of the whole world, discovered cathode rays. These sensational studies were followed by the statement about 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 both be emitted and absorbed in discrete "quanta"(or energy packets), corresponds exactly to the observed patterns of blackbody radiation.
The world famous Albert Einstein made a great contribution to quantum physics. Impressed by quantum theories, he developed his own. The general theory of relativity - that's what it's called. Discoveries in quantum physics also influenced the development of the special theory of relativity. Many scientists in the first half of the last century began to study this science at the suggestion of Einstein. She was at the forefront at that time, everyone liked her, everyone was interested in her. No wonder, because she closed so many "holes" in classical physical science (however, she also created new ones), offered a scientific justification for time travel, telekinesis, telepathy and parallel worlds.
The role of the observer
Any event or state depends directly on the observer. Usually, this is how the basics of quantum physics are briefly explained to people who are far from the exact sciences. However, the reality is much more complicated.
This fits perfectly with many occult and religious traditions that have insisted for centuries on the ability of people to influence the events around them. In some way, this is also the basis for a scientific explanation of extrasensory perception, because now the statement that a person (observer) is able to influence physical events with the power of thought does not seem absurd.
Each eigenstate of an observed event or object corresponds toeigenvector 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 conventional classical mechanics (or physics), one cannot make simultaneous predictions of conjugate variables such as position and momentum. For example, electrons can (with a certain probability) be located approximately in a certain region of space, but their mathematical exact position is actually unknown.
Contours of constant probability density, often referred to as "clouds", can be drawn around the nucleus of an atom to conceptualize where an electron is most likely to be located. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle proves the inability to accurately locate a particle given its conjugate momentum. Some models in this theory are of a purely abstract computational nature 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 branch of physics allowed scientists to assume the possibility of the real existence of many worlds. Perhaps we will be able to see them soon.
Wave functions
The laws of quantum physics are very voluminous and varied. They intersect withconcept of wave functions. Some special wave functions create a spread of probabilities that is inherently constant or independent of time, for example, when in a stationary state 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. The curious 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 such method, commonly known as "perturbation theory", uses an analytical result for an elementary quantum mechanical model. It was created to bring results from experiments to develop an even more complex model that is related to a simpler model. This is how the recursion turns out.
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 claim that the deployment space of a system is absolutely fundamental (it has a dot product). Another statement is that the effects observed by this system are at the same time peculiar operators affecting vectors in this very medium. However, they do not tell us which Hilbert space or which operators exist inthis moment. They can be chosen appropriately to give a quantitative description of a quantum system.
Meaning and impact
From the very beginning of this unusual science, many anti-intuitive aspects and results of the study of quantum mechanics have provoked loud philosophical debates and many interpretations. Even fundamental questions, such as the rules for calculating various amplitudes and probability distributions, deserve respect from the public and many leading scientists.
Richard Feynman, for example, once sadly remarked that he was not at all sure that any of the scientists understood quantum mechanics at all. According to Steven Weinberg, there is currently no one-size-fits-all interpretation of quantum mechanics. This suggests that scientists have created a "monster", to fully understand and explain the existence of which they themselves are unable to. However, this does not harm the relevance and popularity of this science in any way, but attracts young professionals who want to solve really complex and incomprehensible problems.
Besides, quantum mechanics has forced a complete revision 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 from the point of view of the interaction of the smallest elementaryparticles at the subatomic level. This area, despite the seeming improbability, is extremely promising.
Quantum psychology
What can be said about the relationship between quantum physics and human consciousness? This is beautifully written in a book written by Robert Anton Wilson in 1990 called Quantum Psychology.
According to the theory set forth in the book, all the processes occurring in our brain are due to 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 notable for the fact that he provides in it a set of various techniques and practices that more or less prove his hypothesis. One way or another, the reader must decide for himself whether or not he believes the viability of such attempts to apply mathematical and physical models to the humanities.
Wilson's book was seen by some as an attempt to justify mystical thinking and tie it to scientifically proven newfangled physical formulations. This highly non-trivial and striking work has been in demand for more than 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 towards quantum psychology will also change.
Conclusion
Thanks to this remarkable theory, which soon became a separate science, we were able to explore the environmentreality at the level of subatomic particles. This is the smallest level of all possible, completely inaccessible to our perception. What physicists previously knew about our world needs urgent revision. Absolutely everyone agrees with this. It became obvious that different particles can interact with each other at completely unthinkable distances, which we can only measure by complex mathematical formulas.
Furthermore, quantum mechanics (and quantum physics) has proven the possibility of many parallel realities, time travel and other things that throughout history were considered only the stuff of science fiction. This is undoubtedly a huge contribution not only to science, but also to the future of mankind.
For lovers of the scientific picture of the world, this science can be both a friend and an enemy. The fact is that quantum theory opens up wide opportunities for various speculations on a parascientific topic, as has already been shown in the example of one of the alternative psychological theories. Some modern occultists, esotericists and supporters of alternative religious and spiritual movements (most often psychocults) 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 simple conjectures of theorists and abstract mathematical formulas led to a real scientific revolution and created a new science that crossed out everything that was known before. In somedegree, quantum physics has refuted the laws of Aristotelian logic, since it has shown that when choosing "either-or" there is one more (and perhaps several) alternatives.
