Manipulating spin of entangled particles

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the manipulation of spin in entangled particles, specifically electrons. It establishes that while entangled electrons exist in a superposition of spin states, measuring one collapses the wave function, determining the spin of the other. However, once the entanglement is resolved, manipulating the spin of one electron, such as placing it in a magnetic field, does not affect the spin of the other electron. The consensus is that entangled particles act independently after measurement.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum entanglement
  • Knowledge of electron spin and superposition
  • Familiarity with wave function collapse
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research quantum entanglement and its implications in quantum computing
  • Explore the concept of wave function collapse in detail
  • Study the effects of magnetic fields on electron spin
  • Learn about Bell's theorem and its relevance to entangled particles
USEFUL FOR

Students of quantum mechanics, physicists exploring quantum entanglement, and researchers interested in the behavior of entangled particles in experimental settings.

koletpa
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hello all!

I'm trying to wrap my head around this quantum entanglement thingy. As far as I have understood, if you have two entangled particles, say two electrones, it is impossible to predict their spins since they are thought to be in superposition of both up and down. But if you measure the spin of one of them, the wave function collapses and the other instantly adopts the opposite spin.

But what happens if you manipulate the spin of one of the electrones, once you know it?

Let's say you put one of the entangled electrones in a strong magnetic field and change its spin from up to down. Would the other electrone respond to this and change its own spin from down to up the moment you did it?

I'm new to all this, but really fascinated. I'm sorry if this question has been addressed before. I've been watching youtube-videos, and people seem a bit confused. Some say "whatever you do to one of the particles, the other will do the same", but that's not really true, is it?

Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
koletpa said:
Let's say you put one of the entangled electrones in a strong magnetic field and change its spin from up to down. Would the other electrone respond to this and change its own spin from down to up the moment you did it?
Nope! The entanglement affects only the initial state of the particles. Once that is resolved, they're free to act independently of each other.
 

Similar threads

High School Trivial quantum entanglement question (from a rookie)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
252
High School Question about Bell's inequalities and 3-particle entanglement
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Undergrad Measuring electron spin and measuring entangled electron spin
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Graduate Is entanglement also for time-like intervals?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Breaking the Light Speed Barrier?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Measurement of Entangled Particles causes up or down spin?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad The Extended Wigner's Friend Scenarios
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
5K
Undergrad Unveiling the Mystery of Entangled Particle Spin
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
High School Quantum Entanglement spin measurement
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
High School Quantum teleportation of usable information
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K