khkwang said:It was a good while ago since I heard about this particular experiment, but I remember vaguely reading about how in one instance they recorded the observations, but then deleted the data before anyone could look at it, and in that instance the wave was still produced. Thus showing that it really was the act of observing that caused the wave collapse.
Was this bull? Or can someone direct me to a link?
The double slit experiment is a classic experiment in physics that demonstrates the wave-particle duality of light and matter. It involves shining a beam of particles or light through two parallel slits and observing the resulting interference pattern on a screen.
The observer effect refers to the phenomenon where the act of observation or measurement affects the behavior of the particles being observed. In the double slit experiment, the act of measuring which slit the particle passes through changes the interference pattern on the screen.
The observer effect is one of the key principles of the uncertainty principle, which states that it is impossible to precisely measure both the position and momentum of a particle at the same time. The act of measurement itself alters the behavior of the particle, making it impossible to know both properties simultaneously.
No, the observer effect is inherent in the double slit experiment and cannot be avoided. Any attempt to measure or observe the particles will alter their behavior and therefore affect the results of the experiment.
The observer effect highlights the fundamental uncertainty and unpredictability of the behavior of particles at the quantum level. It challenges our traditional understanding of cause and effect and raises questions about the role of consciousness in shaping reality.