For centuries, we’ve been trying to unravel the mysteries of our universe and have done quite well too. We have come up with certain laws (a bunch of equations, which for the sanity of our minds, I will not be displaying), laws that precisely describe the motion of galaxies, planets and stars, how ripples form on the surface of water, how a ball makes it’s trajectory across the sky etc. All of these discussed and many more form a part of the macroscopic world and constitute classical physics. They allow us to make predictions of the behavior of everything around us with CERTAINITY. During our pursuit of understanding classical physics, we also delved into the microscopic world, a world of atoms and subatomic particles that constitute Quantum Mechanics. These tiny folks have a separate set of laws which, to put it mildly, is baffling and is questioning everything we know about reality.
Down at the Quantum realm, there seems to be some sort of a freak show, where laws of classical physics fall apart. For instance, particles seem to exist in a state of numerous possibilities/ probabilities like following more than one path and existing in more than one place at the same time. Furthermore, two entangled particles (particles connected and who’s quantum states cannot be described independent of each other as one affects the other) separated by light-years instantly respond to each other’s state without any kind of conceivable communication (termed as spooky action at a distance). The most baffling of all concepts is that reality does not exist until observed, i.e., the act of observing something gives it’s existence validity, else it might as well not exist! Which means if you turn your back on your laptop right now, it may just disappear and when you turn back to look at it, it will be just where it was. Your observation of the laptop affirms it’s existence! This insane idea spun from the results of a very popular series of experiments performed repeatedly with increasing complexity and control to nullify any external interaction that may alter the results*.
The quantum laws, in other words, laws that govern crazy behavior, become more apparent when you get down to the tiniest of levels, levels of atoms and subatomic particles. Now, that makes one wonder, where does all this craziness go when things attain size?! I mean, everything in nature including you and me are also made of particles. Why don’t they apply to us or why do these quantum laws contradict everything we know with respect to larger things? We are made of the same particles and we can only take one path or exist on one place at a time. Some physicists suggest that the numerous possibilities at the quantum level exists because of the simplicity of their form and that perhaps somehow they adjust themselves to choose a single possibility or a definite organization and state as we move from atoms to objects. Other physicists suggest that all of the possibilities that occur at the quantum level also happen in the big world except they occur in other universes, i.e., parallel universes! Which means there are lots of ‘mes’ and ‘yous’ in other probable systems/ universes, dinosaurs still exist, Michael Jackson is still alive, India and Pakistan never separated! Basically, quantum mechanics suggests that everything in nature is a case of probabilities/ possibilities and randomness.
To think that the reality of the universe relies on whether or not we open our eyes and look is just completely ridiculous! We cannot fathom such a notion, reason being, we have all these set ideas and we function on the ability to make accurate predictions about our environment and the phenomena there in. Despite our limited understanding of the why’s with respect to the quantum world, we have successfully utilized its application in pretty much every area without which, modern life would literally be impossible. There would be no laptops, cell phones, laser, LED lights, pretty much any electronic device or machine! John Clauser, known for his contributions to the foundations of quantum mechanics, after having attempted several experiments to debunk “spooky action at a distance” finally quoted, “ I was again, very sad that I had not overthrown quantum mechanics because I still and to this day have a great difficulty in understanding it”.
Perhaps, there is some detail that we are missing or is it possible that we are not seeing the big picture and that the story of the tiniest is in fact our story too? Perhaps, the quantum world is our window to reality not just the reality that is observable but also what is not observable. To consider that our reality is more magnificent than we thought is inspiring and encouraging that motivates us to dig deeper, explore more and the beauty of Quantum Mechanics is that it allows us to. And as they say, once you learn Quantum Mechanics, you’re never really the same!