What is the measurable result of a properly done scientific experiment?
Q: What is the measurable result of a properly done scientific experiment?
A: The measurable result of a properly done scientific experiment is the state of the system at each point in time.
Q: How does quantum mechanics differ from classical mechanics?
A: In quantum mechanics, several states are superposed (overlapping) to describe the state that an experiment is in, whereas in classical mechanics only one state can be measured at any given point in time.
Q: What happens when a measurement is done?
A: When a measurement is done, there will be a single result which is the eigenvalue of one of the eigenstates. This means that measurement will reduce the several possible states to a single state by adding them together and after the measurement, the system will be in this single state that was measured.
Q: What process reduces multiple possible states to one single state?
A: The process that reduces multiple possible states to one single state is known as wavefunction collapse.
Q: What are two processes by which quantum systems evolve over time?
A: Two processes by which quantum systems evolve over time are continuous evolution via Schrödinger equation and wavefunction collapse.
Q: Who first explained this situation with regards to quantum systems?
A: Werner Heisenberg was among the first to explain this situation with regards to quantum systems, publishing his findings in 1927.
Q: How did Erwin Schrödinger demonstrate this controversy regarding wavefunction collapse?
A: Erwin Schrödinger used his thought experiment called Schrödinger's cat to show this controversy surrounding wavefunction collapse.
