What the heck is a State of Multiple Possibilities ?😲
Schrödinger’s cat for the Rest of us
The article explores the concept of Schrödinger’s cat, simplifying it with everyday examples. It invites readers to understand quantum physics with a light-hearted approach. It also introduces Erwin Schrödinger — highlighting his life, contributions & anecdotes.
Perhaps you’ve come across T-shirts featuring Schrödinger’s cat and found yourself wondering about its meaning. If you’ve dabbled in high school physics, you likely encountered Schrödinger’s Wave Equation. The concept of Schrödinger’s cat is one of those puzzling things you frequently encounter but might not fully grasp.
I’ll simplify this idea with everyday life examples, so you can understand it without breaking a mental sweat.
Call it Quantum Physics Extra Lite !
- Imagine you have a coin hidden under your hand, and you toss it. While it’s in the air - it’s both heads and tails at the same time. It’s only when you catch it and look at it that it decides to be either heads or tails. Until then, it’s in this mixed-up state, just like Schrödinger’s cat!
- Think of your morning routine. Before you check your phone or look in the mirror, your hair is kind of in a mixed-up state — it could be messy or neat. It’s only when you actually see it that it “decides” to be messy or neat. Until then, it’s like Schrödinger’s hairstyle, in a state of possibilities!
- When your phone beeps, the message inside is like Schrödinger’s text. Until you open it, it could be a question, a joke, or just a friendly hello — in a state of multiple possibilities.
- Before you open your closet, your outfit for the day is undecided. It could be casual, fancy, or sporty until you pick something out.
- When you open your lunchbox, the meal inside is like Schrödinger’s lunch — it could be a sandwich, pasta, or a surprise snack until you reveal it.
Now if you insist here’s the technical part of the set up.
Picture a sturdy box with a lid that can keep things sealed tight. Inside this box, there’s a cat, a vial of poison, a radioactive atom, and a Geiger counter (a device that clicks when it detects radioactivity).
Now, the tricky part is that if the radioactive atom decays (breaks apart), the Geiger counter triggers the release of poison, which unfortunately harms the cat. But, here’s the catch: you can’t see or know what’s happening inside the box without opening it.
So, until someone opens the box and checks, the cat is in a mysterious state. It’s like a superposition of being both alive and not alive at the same time.
It’s a bizarre thought experiment physicist Erwin Schrödinger came up with to highlight the peculiar nature of quantum mechanics.
And if you have reached till here — here’s something about Erwin Schrödinger’s life.
He was an Austrian physicist born on August 12, 1887, and he passed away on January 4, 1961. He made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics, and he’s particularly known for the Schrödinger equation, which describes how quantum systems change over time.
Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, mentioned earlier, was his way of illustrating the strange and counterintuitive aspects of quantum theory. Despite its simplicity, it has become a well-known concept in popular science.
Throughout his career, Schrödinger also worked on various topics such as statistical and thermodynamics, colour theory, and even biology, where he wrote a book titled “What is Life?” exploring connections between physics and biology.
His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933, which he shared with Paul Dirac. Schrödinger’s legacy extends beyond his ground breaking contributions to physics; his influence reaches into philosophy and the broader understanding of the nature of reality at the quantum level.
Erwin Schrödinger had an interesting and sometimes quirky life. Here are a couple of anecdotes:
1. Love for Pets: Schrödinger was known for his love of animals. He often worked with his cat on his desk, and his fondness for feline friends inspired the famous “Schrödinger’s cat” thought experiment. However, there’s no evidence that he actually performed this experiment on a real cat — it was more of a theoretical illustration.
2. Academic Nomad: Schrödinger had a bit of a nomadic academic career. He moved around various universities in Europe, including Vienna, Zurich, and Berlin. He faced challenges during the rise of the Nazi regime, which led him to leave Germany for various teaching positions.
3. Philosopher Physicist: In addition to his ground-breaking work in physics, Schrödinger was interested in philosophy. He engaged in discussions with philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein, exploring the connections between language, reality, and quantum mechanics.
4. Creative Mind: Schrödinger had a creative side. Beyond his scientific pursuits, he wrote poetry and essays. His book “What is Life?” not only delves into the intersection of physics and biology but also reflects his broader curiosity about the nature of existence.
These anecdotes showcase Schrödinger as not just a brilliant physicist but also as a person with a diverse range of interests and a unique approach to both science and life.
Hope you found this interesting 🍁
