What does Schrodinger's cats mean? - briefly
Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment proposed by Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 to illustrate the peculiarities of quantum mechanics. It involves a hypothetical cat that may be simultaneously both alive and dead due to being linked to a random quantum event, such as the decay of an atom. This paradox highlights the counterintuitive nature of superposition in quantum theory.
What does Schrodinger's cats mean? - in detail
Schrödinger's Cat is a thought experiment, sometimes described as a paradox, devised by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935. It is designed to illustrate what he saw as the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics applied to everyday objects. The scenario presents a cat that may be simultaneously both alive and dead due to being linked to a random quantum event.
In the thought experiment, a hypothetical cat is placed in a sealed box with a vial of poison that would be released if triggered by a quantum event such as the decay of an atom. The Copenhagen interpretation implies that until the box is opened and an observer measures the system, the cat exists in a superposition of states—both alive and dead. Only upon observation does the wave function collapse, leaving the cat definitively dead or alive.
The paradox highlights the peculiar nature of quantum mechanics where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously until measured. Schrödinger intended this thought experiment to criticize the Copenhagen interpretation's notion that physical systems only have definite properties when observed. He argued that such a view is absurd, as it implies that macroscopic objects like cats could be in an indeterminate state, which is counterintuitive and seemingly at odds with our everyday experience.
The experiment serves as a vivid illustration of the philosophical issues surrounding quantum mechanics, particularly the measurement problem. It challenges our intuitive understanding of reality and forces us to confront the strange implications of quantum theory when applied to larger scales. Despite its provocative nature, Schrödinger's Cat continues to be a pivotal concept in discussions about the foundations of quantum mechanics and the nature of observation and measurement.