Question about electron slit experiments

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the electron slit experiment, exploring questions about the behavior of electrons as they pass through slits, the nature of measurement in quantum mechanics, and the implications of the uncertainty principle. Participants express curiosity about the specifics of the experiment and the interpretations of quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether every single electron emitted from the electron gun passes through the slits or if only some do, suggesting uncertainty about the experimental outcomes.
  • Another participant clarifies that in the experiments, most electrons do hit the screen, but only some pass through the slits.
  • A participant expresses interest in the interpretation of the uncertainty principle and mentions the idea of hidden variables, noting that recent readings suggest this possibility is largely ruled out.
  • There is a discussion about what constitutes "measurement" in quantum mechanics, with a participant questioning if any interaction can be considered a measurement, specifically referencing the interaction between an electron and a proton in a hydrogen atom.
  • One participant posits that the screen acts as a position observational apparatus, implying that after hitting the screen, the electron is in a superposition of positions related to the slits.
  • A question is raised about the implications of an electron hitting the backstop, specifically whether its momentum becomes uncertain at that moment.
  • Another participant responds that when the electron hits the screen, it is destroyed, leaving a mark that indicates its position, and discusses the uncertainty of momentum for electrons that pass through the slits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of the electron slit experiment or the nature of measurement in quantum mechanics. Multiple competing views and interpretations are presented, particularly regarding the uncertainty principle and the concept of measurement.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of measurement and the implications of interactions in quantum mechanics. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the experimental outcomes and the principles of quantum theory.

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First I want to admit that I'm not a physicist, but I'm very interested in physics. I have some questions about quantum mechanism that I haven't been able to find the answer through prolonged internet search, and I registered this site just to get answers to these questions.

One of my question is regarding the electron slit experiment (or photon slit experiment alike). Online literature says that such experiment had been conducted that the electron pass through the slits one by one. My question is about the specifics of the experiments: Does every single electron shoot out of the electron gun go through the slit and form a dot at the backstop, or only some of them make it though? I think the answer is most likely no, but I'm not sure.
 
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In both experiments most in fact hit the screen - only some pass through the slits.

I can guess what your next question will be but won't pre-empt it.

Thanks
Bill
 
Thanks for the answer. Actually, I don't have a definite follow up question in mind. But I do like to here what you think my follow up question is.

My main interest is in interpretation of uncertainty principle. I had had the idea that quantum mechanism can be explained by introduction of hidden variable. But by some recent reading, I realized that that possibility is mostly ruled out.

Another question that I'm quite interested in is what account for "measurement". Is it true that any kind of interaction between things is a measurement? For example, what about the electron and Proton in hydrogen atom? Is their interaction considered measurement? Does the macro world look deterministic because we are observing the collapsed quantum reality?
 
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The question I thought you would ask is what determines which electrons hit the screen and which goes through the slits. The answer is the screen constitutes a position observational apparatus of the filtering type ie after the screen the photon or electron is in a superposition of the position of the slits.

These days measurement is generally associated with decoherence:
http://www.ipod.org.uk/reality/reality_decoherence.asp

Thanks
Bill
 
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Another question regarding the slit experiment: After an electron pass through the slits and form a dot on the backstop. So what happened when it hit the backstop? since we can be relatively accurate about it's position at that moment (do we?), is it true that it's momentum become uncertain?
 
When it hits the screen its destroyed and leaves a mark indicating the position it was destroyed. You can't really speak of momentum for something that doesn't exist.

However for the photons/electrons that go through the slit its momentum is largely uncertain.

Thanks
Bill
 

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