Difference between revisions of "Schrödinger's Cat"

From Conservapedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(An implication of this principle of quantum mechanics is that the Resurrection is entirely possible, similar to how quantum tunneling works despite violating traditional laws of physics.)
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
When scientists and historians mention "Schrödinger's Cat" they are usually referring to the seemingly paradoxical thought experiment devised by Erwin Schrödinger that attempts to illustrate that early interpretations of quantum mechanics were inadequate.  It has only lately been discovered that so-called "Schrödinger's Cat" was actually many cats, which Schrödinger sacrificed in the name of scientific discovery until he found the results he wanted. Controversy over Schrödinger's methods and findings has raged throughout the scientific community over the past 45 years and has recently spilled over into the realm of social activism.      
+
[[Image:Schrodcat01.JPG|right|thumb|300px]]
 +
'''Schrödinger's cat''' is a thought experiment that illustrates a paradox associated with the [[principle of superposition]] in [[quantum mechanics]], it was proposed by [[Erwin Schrödinger]] in 1935. Schrödinger's cat serves to demonstrate the apparent conflict between what quantum theory tells us is true about the nature and behavior of matter on the microscopic level and what we observe to be true about the nature and behavior of matter on the macroscopic level.  
  
 +
An implication of this principle of quantum mechanics is that the [[Resurrection]] is entirely possible, similar to how [[quantum tunneling]] works despite violating traditional laws of [[physics]].
  
−
== Origins ==
+
==The Thought Experiment==
  
 +
In a paper entitled ''The Present Situation in Quantum Mechanics'', Schroedinger wrote the following:
  
−
Schrödinger proposed his "cat" experiment after debates with Albert Einstein over the Copenhagen interpretation, which Schrödinger defended, stating that if a scenario existed where a cat could be so isolated from external interference (decoherence), the state of the cat can only be known as a superposition (combination) of possible rest states (eigenstates), because finding out (measuring the state) cannot be done without the observer interfering with the experiment — the measurement system (the observer) is entangled with the experiment.
+
<blockquote>
 +
One can even set up quite ridiculous cases. A cat is penned up in a steel chamber, along with the following device (which must be secured against direct interference by the cat): in a Geiger counter there is a tiny bit of radioactive substance, so small, that perhaps in the course of the hour one of the atoms decays, but also, with equal probability, perhaps none; if it happens, the counter tube discharges and through a relay releases a hammer which shatters a small flask of hydrocyanic acid. If one has left this entire system to itself for an hour, one would say that the cat still lives if meanwhile no atom has decayed. The psi-function of the entire system would express this by having in it the living and dead cat (pardon the expression) mixed or smeared out in equal parts.<ref>http://www.tu-harburg.de/rzt/rzt/it/QM/cat.html#sect5</ref>
 +
</blockquote>
  
−
Einstein, believing that Schrödinger was speaking only figuratively, demanded that he "prove it," prompting Schrödinger to retreat to a remote island in the Caribbean to perform his now-famous set of experiments that at that time were kept well under wraps.
+
==Explanation/Interpretations==
  
 +
In lay terms, Schrödinger's experiment results in a paradox: According to the quantum mechanical model, because the cat's "live-ness" is not being measured directly, there is no way to know whether or not it is alive or not. As a matter of fact, quantum mechanics dictates that ''it is existing in both states simultaneously.'' Such behavior is not encountered in daily life, but is accepted as possible behavior for subatomic particles.
  
 +
There are two primary interpretations of the theory: the Copenhagen interpretation and the many-worlds interpretation.
  
−
== The Experiment ==
+
===Copenhagen Interpretation===
  
 +
The Copenhagen interpretation is the interpretation dealing fundamentally with [[decoherence]]. Because quantum mechanics is a statistical method of describing the physical world, there are multiple states that a system can exist in at the same time; this is the principle of [[superposition]]. A quantum system is said to always be in a state of superposition until the system is measured, at which point the system ''decoheres'' and assumes a unique value. Such behavior has been the basis of revolutionary research into computing technologies (see [[quantum computer]]). This interpretation also questions at what time the "measuring" of the system takes place; for instance, a fundamental aspect of the system is measured when a nucleus decays and the event is recorded by the [[Geiger counter]].<ref name="Layman">http://www.higgo.com/quantum/laymans.htm</ref>
  
 +
===Many-worlds Interpretation===
  
−
Notebooks found at Schrödinger's Caribbean estate reveal his original layout for the series of experiments:  
+
The many-worlds interpretation deals with the concept that measuring the system is not a significant act. Instead, both states exist simultaneously, but are decoherent with each other, meaning that there is no communication between them. When the system is observed or measured (the box opened), the observer becomes [[quantum entanglement|entangled]] with the system, and essentially, two new observer states are formed - an observer who discovers a dead cat, and an observer who discovers a living cat. At this point, the [[universe]] "splits" into two branches or separate universes that are unable to communicate with each other.<ref name="Layman"/><ref>Interpreting Quantum Physics James Higgo 1968-2001 [http://www.higgo.com/quantum]/</ref>
  
−
"A cat is penned up in a steel chamber, along with the following device (which must be secured against direct interference by the cat): in a Geiger counter there is a tiny bit of radioactive substance, so small, that perhaps in the course of the hour one of the atoms decays, but also, with equal probability, perhaps none; if it happens, the counter tube discharges and through a relay releases a hammer which shatters a small flask of hydrocyanic acid. If one has left this entire system to itself for an hour, one would say that the cat still lives if meanwhile no atom has decayed. The psi-function of the entire system would express this by having in it the living and dead cat mixed or smeared out in equal parts."
+
==References==
  
−
Schrödinger experimented with approximately 10 different cats, most of which were picked up locally as strays.  However, the final three cats used were in fact Schrödinger's own pets.  Mittens, an 8-year-old silver American shorthair, survived two runs of the experiment, emerging entirely alive from the steel chamber in two consecutive experiments.  Sport, a playful and robust Havana Brown, survived the first run but in the second was killed by the radioactive material.  Unfortunately, Sport's state at death was entirely cohesive, contributing nothing toward Schrödinger's hypothesis.  Finally, Schrödinger found success with his long-time favorite pet Mr. Whiskers, an elderly striped tabby whose frailty may have contributed in a small part to the eventual success of the experiment.  Mr. Whiskers was placed in the steel chamber and left in the system for over an hour.  Upon his return, Schrödinger found Mr. Whiskers part-dead and part-alive, with the matter of each half, as expected, "mixed or smeared out in equal parts." 
+
<references/>
  
−
Schrödinger is said to have jumped from his bathtub and cried "Eureka!" when this happened, but so far no sources have been able to corroborate this.  Skeptics say that Schrödinger would have to have been sitting in the bathtub at the time of the discovery for this to have happened, meaning the experimental system was set up in his bathroom.  Inspection of the estate shows that the only bathroom large enough to accomodate both Schrödinger's tub and the steel-chambered mechanism was the upstairs master bathroom, which diary entries suggest that the superstitious Schrödinger never used, believing there were "ghosts" in that room.  The so-called "Eureka!" incident has remained a point of bitter contention among physicists and historical biographers alike.     
+
==See also==
 +
* [[Maxwell's demon]]
  
−
 
+
[[Category:Quantum Mechanics]]
−
== Conclusions ==
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Schrödinger did not immediately tell Einstein that he had found the solution.  Finding it necessary to conceal the evidence of the physical experiments that went on in his lab, Schrödinger was compelled to create an entirely false set of experimental data, mathematical and theoretical in nature, that would describe his results without revealing that they had been carried out on actual living cats.  Einstein was impressed with Schrödinger's findings, sending him a congratulatory letter which said the following:  
 
−
 
 
−
"You are the only contemporary physicist, besides Laue, who sees that one cannot get around the assumption of reality—if only one is honest. Most of them simply do not see what sort of risky game they are playing with reality—reality as something independent of what is experimentally established. Their interpretation is, however, refuted most elegantly by your system of radioactive atom + amplifier + charge of gun powder + cat in a box, in which the psi-function of the system contains both the cat alive and blown to bits. Nobody really doubts that the presence or absence of the cat is something independent of the act of observation."
 
−
 
 
−
Apparently after receiving this letter, Schrödinger wrote in his diary, "It never occurred to me to use, instead of a live cat, an unstable keg of gun powder.  In retrospect, this approach may have been more humane.  I do feel, though, that my achievements in the realm of scientific progress far outway questions of my potential immorality."
 
−
 
 
−
In the scientific world, Schrödinger's foolproof results merited much respect; the "Schrödinger's Cat" theory became one of the most famous and compelling defenses of the Copenhagen school of quantum mechanics.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
== Controversy ==
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
It came as a shock to the world of science when, following Schrödinger's death in 1961, an exploration of his estate and the finding of hidden data and diary entries revealed the grisly nature of his experiments.  Determined not to let the unflattering truth impugn the integrity of the Copenhagen school, many of its leading proponents, most notably German physicist Werner Heisenberg, fought to repress much of the information that came out on Schrödinger.  Widespread awareness of the "Schrödinger's Cats" scandal did not catch on until the late 1980s, when the animal rights group PETA used obscure derogatory references to Schrödinger's career in an early ad campaign.   
 
−
 
 
−
There is still some dispute over exactly how many cats were used in Schrödinger's experiments.  While the generally accepted tally is 10, estimates range anywhere from 5 to 500 animals killed.  Animal Rights activists have demanded that an official investigation be launched into Schrödinger's little-known scientific processes.  In 2005, the Austrian estate of Erwin Schrödinger refused a request for $10 million in compensation to be distributed among various animal-friendly charities.  A movement has been made recently to rename the "Schrödinger's Cat" theory "Schrödinger's Cats," a politically correct label which would more aptly honor the dead.  So far, "Schrödinger's Cat" has remained the accepted term.
 

Latest revision as of 01:47, April 24, 2022

Schrodcat01.JPG

Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment that illustrates a paradox associated with the principle of superposition in quantum mechanics, it was proposed by Erwin Schrödinger in 1935. Schrödinger's cat serves to demonstrate the apparent conflict between what quantum theory tells us is true about the nature and behavior of matter on the microscopic level and what we observe to be true about the nature and behavior of matter on the macroscopic level.

An implication of this principle of quantum mechanics is that the Resurrection is entirely possible, similar to how quantum tunneling works despite violating traditional laws of physics.

The Thought Experiment

In a paper entitled The Present Situation in Quantum Mechanics, Schroedinger wrote the following:

One can even set up quite ridiculous cases. A cat is penned up in a steel chamber, along with the following device (which must be secured against direct interference by the cat): in a Geiger counter there is a tiny bit of radioactive substance, so small, that perhaps in the course of the hour one of the atoms decays, but also, with equal probability, perhaps none; if it happens, the counter tube discharges and through a relay releases a hammer which shatters a small flask of hydrocyanic acid. If one has left this entire system to itself for an hour, one would say that the cat still lives if meanwhile no atom has decayed. The psi-function of the entire system would express this by having in it the living and dead cat (pardon the expression) mixed or smeared out in equal parts.[1]

Explanation/Interpretations

In lay terms, Schrödinger's experiment results in a paradox: According to the quantum mechanical model, because the cat's "live-ness" is not being measured directly, there is no way to know whether or not it is alive or not. As a matter of fact, quantum mechanics dictates that it is existing in both states simultaneously. Such behavior is not encountered in daily life, but is accepted as possible behavior for subatomic particles.

There are two primary interpretations of the theory: the Copenhagen interpretation and the many-worlds interpretation.

Copenhagen Interpretation

The Copenhagen interpretation is the interpretation dealing fundamentally with decoherence. Because quantum mechanics is a statistical method of describing the physical world, there are multiple states that a system can exist in at the same time; this is the principle of superposition. A quantum system is said to always be in a state of superposition until the system is measured, at which point the system decoheres and assumes a unique value. Such behavior has been the basis of revolutionary research into computing technologies (see quantum computer). This interpretation also questions at what time the "measuring" of the system takes place; for instance, a fundamental aspect of the system is measured when a nucleus decays and the event is recorded by the Geiger counter.[2]

Many-worlds Interpretation

The many-worlds interpretation deals with the concept that measuring the system is not a significant act. Instead, both states exist simultaneously, but are decoherent with each other, meaning that there is no communication between them. When the system is observed or measured (the box opened), the observer becomes entangled with the system, and essentially, two new observer states are formed - an observer who discovers a dead cat, and an observer who discovers a living cat. At this point, the universe "splits" into two branches or separate universes that are unable to communicate with each other.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.tu-harburg.de/rzt/rzt/it/QM/cat.html#sect5
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.higgo.com/quantum/laymans.htm
  3. ↑ Interpreting Quantum Physics James Higgo 1968-2001 [1]/

See also

Retrieved from "https://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Schrödinger%27s_Cat&oldid=1854026"