As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of quantum theory, its profound impact on our understanding of reality is revealed. What lies beyond concrete reality? Is it a separate realm or an integral part of our everyday experience?
In June 1925, a young physicist named Werner Heisenberg retreated to the barren island of Helgoland in the North Sea, seeking respite from his allergies. There, he scribbled down equations that would light an intellectual fire in Europe, eventually forming the basis of an idea that shook our view of how reality works to the core. That idea was ‘quantum theory‘.
Werner Heisenberg was a German physicist who made significant contributions to the development of quantum mechanics.
Born in 1901, he studied at the University of Munich and later worked with Niels Bohr in Copenhagen.
Heisenberg's most notable work is the uncertainty principle, which states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle simultaneously.
This concept revolutionized the field of physics and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1932.
Quantum theory paints a strange picture of the subatomic world, but its true importance lies not in its strangeness, but in its power and provocation. As we celebrate its 100th anniversary, it’s time to acknowledge the profound impact it has had on our understanding of reality.
Quantum theory is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at an atomic and subatomic level.
It suggests that particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, known as superposition, and can be entangled with each other even when separated by large distances.
Quantum theory also introduces the concept of wave-particle duality, where particles such as electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior.
This theory has led to numerous breakthroughs in fields like quantum computing, cryptography, and materials science.
Quantum theory has been wildly successful, too. Few other scientific ideas have passed so many experimental tests. Its origins may hinge on a bout of hay fever, but it is a legacy not to be sniffed at. The fact that quantum theory forces us to ask profound questions about what ‘real’ really means suggests that we are missing something about the workings of the universe.
New interpretations and experiments are inching us towards a fresh understanding of quantum theory. As we continue to explore its bold claims, we will uncover new ways in which it revolutionizes technology and challenges our perceptions of reality.
In recognition of the quantum centenary, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. There will be celebrations, exhibitions, and conferences all over the world. This special series celebrates the power and provocation of ‘quantum theory’, exploring its impact on our understanding of reality and its future applications.
But where exactly does the quantum world end and concrete reality begin? Is it a separate realm, or an integral part of our everyday experience? The answers to these questions will continue to shape our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
- newscientist.com | Quantum theory at 100: Let’s celebrate its power and provocation
