What Determines the Observer Effect in Quantum Physics?

[J.W. Coleman]

To begin, I am an avid physics enthusiast and after reading countless books, there are a few questions that pester me in reference to the probability of an electrons location and the 'observer' which changes the electrons location or speed.

I understand that if you observe the electron, you cannot get an accurate reading, and that if you look at the electron, because it is in a super-position state and is merely a probability, its history does not exist until it is observed.

What then, is doing the observing? Is it human consciousness, photons, or simple matter interactions? Could anyone please explain this to me as simply as possible?

 

[DaveC426913]

Observation does not have to be conscious; it is any form of interaction where the particle's location will be determined. So, any or all of the 'whats' you mention will do.

 

[J.W. Coleman]

That's what I thought, thank you very much!

 

[J.W. Coleman]

With that solved, however, in what instance is an electron not being interacted with, or is there ever a situation in which this occurs?

If it is the case in which the situation never occurs, then why is this relevant?