Saturday, March 14, 2009

Waving at Schroedinger's Cat

There was this cat. It was in a box. There was this radioactive atom. It was in the box as well. I know it's Sunday and I'm only a mere mouton, but the obvious things to put in with the cat would be some food and water. However, this is science and science is weird.

Now then.......... The fate of this poor cat is dependent upon something called a 'wave function' and an 'observer'. Oh, I forgot to mention the hammer and a flask of cyanide, which is also in with the cat. Well I did say science was weird!

So, while this atom is waiting for the observer to wave at it, both the atom and cat are said to be in a 'superposition'. What might that be then, I hear you ask. Good question. A super position for the cat would be lying down and having a kip, no doubt. But no...The superposition for this cat is next to a geiger-counter. (Stay with me.)

Anyway, it seems that if this atom (Don't forget it's radioactive.) hangs about too long, it decays. (Well don't we all!) Also, if the hammer hits the flask of prussic acid, the cat will die. (But the cat will die if it is left in the box, anyway, so why all this additional paraphernalia!) Oh, I forgot. It's science.

It seems that an important part of this experiment is the wave function of the atom. (Sorry if I misled you about it being the observer waving............) Hence, according to Shroedinger, the atom remains in a 'superposition' of decay and undecay, up until the time the observer opens the box. (The lack of a space in the word 'superposition' as opposed to 'super' and 'position' is clearly crucial, here.) Because this possible dual state of potential pertains to the atom, Shroedinger claims the same can be said for the cat: it is in a 'superposition' of being both dead and alive.

So, the question is: Should the observer open the box? No need. It isn't a real experiment. It's just a Thought Experiment.

However, if you want to know more about atoms, particles, waves and observers, go to this fantastic animation and be truly amazed.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

The Never Realised Question

Well hello to Mr Occasional Stirrings. How nice of you to drop in and chat.

I haven't been eating any of those magic mushrooms, (Thank you for asking.) but I can quite understand your reasoning in relation to my recent posts. As a matter of fact, it had crossed my ovine mind that I might be turning into you, now that I stir only occasionally.

I'm not sure what's going on with me, lately. The good lady of the house is busying about and is full of enthusiasm for her latest art projects which she seems to be squeezing in on top of everything else. Me, on the other hand.....................

You are very kind to draw my attention to Half Remarkable Questions. Lordy, Mr O-S. If I'm lost for words, I'll bet they weren't lost for mushrooms!