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Basic Quantum Theory

Quantum theory explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. It was first proposed in 1900 by Max Planck to explain the black-body radiation problem. Key developments included Einstein's proposal in 1905 that energy is quantized, de Broglie's idea in 1924 that matter has wave-like properties, and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in 1927. The Copenhagen interpretation holds that objects don't have defined states until measured, while the many-worlds theory says the universe splits into parallel worlds for each possible state. Quantum theory forms the basis of modern physics and is being applied in many new technologies.

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31 views

Basic Quantum Theory

Quantum theory explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. It was first proposed in 1900 by Max Planck to explain the black-body radiation problem. Key developments included Einstein's proposal in 1905 that energy is quantized, de Broglie's idea in 1924 that matter has wave-like properties, and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in 1927. The Copenhagen interpretation holds that objects don't have defined states until measured, while the many-worlds theory says the universe splits into parallel worlds for each possible state. Quantum theory forms the basis of modern physics and is being applied in many new technologies.

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quantum theory

techtarget.com/whatis/definition/quantum-theory

Ivy Wigmore

By
Ivy Wigmore

Quantum theory is the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and
behavior of matter and energy on the atomic and subatomic level. The nature and behavior
of matter and energy at that level is sometimes referred to as quantum physics and quantum
mechanics. Organizations in several countries have devoted significant resources to the
development of quantum computing, which uses quantum theory to drastically improve
computing capabilities beyond what is possible using today's classical computers.

In 1900, physicist Max Planck presented his quantum theory to the German Physical Society.
Planck had sought to discover the reason that radiation from a glowing body changes in
color from red, to orange, and, finally, to blue as its temperature rises. He found that by
making the assumption that energy existed in individual units in the same way that matter
does, rather than just as a constant electromagnetic wave - as had been formerly assumed -
and was therefore quantifiable, he could find the answer to his question. The existence of
these units became the first assumption of quantum theory.

Planck wrote a mathematical equation involving a figure to represent these individual units of
energy, which he called quanta. The equation explained the phenomenon very well; Planck
found that at certain discrete temperature levels (exact multiples of a basic minimum value),
energy from a glowing body will occupy different areas of the color spectrum. Planck
assumed there was a theory yet to emerge from the discovery of quanta, but, in fact, their
very existence implied a completely new and fundamental understanding of the laws of
nature. Planck won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theory in 1918, but developments by
various scientists over a thirty-year period all contributed to the modern understanding of
quantum theory.

The Development of Quantum Theory


In 1900, Planck made the assumption that energy was made of individual units, or
quanta.
In 1905, Albert Einstein theorized that not just the energy, but the radiation itself was
quantized in the same manner.

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In 1924, Louis de Broglie proposed that there is no fundamental difference in the
makeup and behavior of energy and matter; on the atomic and subatomic level either
may behave as if made of either particles or waves. This theory became known as the
principle of wave-particle duality: elementary particles of both energy and matter
behave, depending on the conditions, like either particles or waves.
In 1927, Werner Heisenberg proposed that precise, simultaneous measurement of two
complementary values - such as the position and momentum of a subatomic particle -
is impossible. Contrary to the principles of classical physics, their simultaneous
measurement is inescapably flawed; the more precisely one value is measured, the
more flawed will be the measurement of the other value. This theory became known as
the uncertainty principle, which prompted Albert Einstein's famous comment, "God
does not play dice."

The Copenhagen Interpretation and the Many-Worlds Theory


The two major interpretations of quantum theory's implications for the nature of reality are the
Copenhagen interpretation and the many-worlds theory. Niels Bohr proposed the
Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, which asserts that a particle is whatever it is
measured to be (for example, a wave or a particle), but that it cannot be assumed to have
specific properties, or even to exist, until it is measured. In short, Bohr was saying that
objective reality does not exist. This translates to a principle called superposition that claims
that while we do not know what the state of any object is, it is actually in all possible states
simultaneously, as long as we don't look to check.

To illustrate this theory, we can use the famous and somewhat cruel analogy of
Schrodinger's Cat. First, we have a living cat and place it in a thick lead box. At this stage,
there is no question that the cat is alive. We then throw in a vial of cyanide and seal the box.
We do not know if the cat is alive or if the cyanide capsule has broken and the cat has died.
Since we do not know, the cat is both dead and alive, according to quantum law - in a
superposition of states. It is only when we break open the box and see what condition the cat
is that the superposition is lost, and the cat must be either alive or dead.

The second interpretation of quantum theory is the many-worlds (or multiverse theory. It
holds that as soon as a potential exists for any object to be in any state, the universe of that
object transmutes into a series of parallel universes equal to the number of possible states in
which that the object can exist, with each universe containing a unique single possible state
of that object. Furthermore, there is a mechanism for interaction between these universes
that somehow permits all states to be accessible in some way and for all possible states to
be affected in some manner. Stephen Hawking and the late Richard Feynman are among the
scientists who have expressed a preference for the many-worlds theory.

Quantum Theory's Influence

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Although scientists throughout the past century have balked at the implications of quantum
theory - Planck and Einstein among them - the theory's principles have repeatedly been
supported by experimentation, even when the scientists were trying to disprove them.
Quantum theory and Einstein's theory of relativity form the basis for modern physics. The
principles of quantum physics are being applied in an increasing number of areas, including
quantum optics, quantum chemistry, quantum computing, and quantum cryptography.

This was last updated in October 2020

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