The dynamic quantity being measured does not have a definite value until a measurement is made.curiosity1 said:Summary: Measurement problem of quantum mechanics
Why do subatomic particles change what they do when observed?
It makes no difference what makes the measurement. Most if not all, measurements are made by measurement devices and human beings only look at the output from those.curiosity1 said:What happens if a non-sentient robot does the observing? How does that compare with a sentient human doing the observing? Thank you.
This phenomenon is known as the "observer effect" and it is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics. When a subatomic particle is observed, it interacts with the measuring device and changes its behavior. This is because the act of observation disrupts the particle's natural state and introduces uncertainty into its behavior.
The observer effect can make it difficult to accurately measure and study subatomic particles, as the act of observation can alter their behavior. This is why scientists often use complex and precise methods to minimize the impact of observation on their experiments.
No, according to the principles of quantum mechanics, it is impossible to observe a subatomic particle without affecting its behavior in some way. This is due to the inherent uncertainty and probabilistic nature of subatomic particles.
Subatomic particles have different behaviors because they are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, which operate on a much smaller scale than the laws of classical physics that govern larger objects. These laws dictate that subatomic particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously and can only be described in terms of probabilities.
The observer effect is not typically observed in macroscopic objects because they are much larger and more complex than subatomic particles. However, in some cases, the act of observation can still have an impact on the behavior of macroscopic objects, such as in the field of psychology where the Hawthorne effect is a similar phenomenon.