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This is actually a well misunderstood thing that gets quoted a lot.The story of Schrodinger's cat is based on quantum entanglement and quantum superposition.Quantum entanglement can be envisioned as a sort of butterfly effect that occurs when particles interact with each other. If you modify the state of one particle, then the state of any other particles entangled with it is altered instantaneously. In the story, the cat can be viewed as being quantum entangled with the flask of poison, which is entangled with the hammer, which is entangled with the radioactivity sensor, which is entangled with the radioactive substance.Quantum superposition can be viewed as being based on the uncertainty principal; which dumbs down to the fact that there are certain things that you just can't know at the same time; e.g. the position and momentum of a particle. If you try to measure the position of a particle, the act of taking a measurement will alter it's state, causing it to behave differently. This extends to the atomic level. Atoms have a ground state and one or more excited states. When not being measured, the atoms will exhibit the traits of being in all states simultaneously. Once measured though, the measurement will make the atom behave differently, locking it to a single state.So, in summary, the radioactive substance in the box which has yet to measured is existing in all states; and due to quantum entanglement, the cat can be thought of as existing in all states (both alive and dead) until a measurement is taken (opening the box). The story is metaphorical, and doesn't mean that just because no one's looking at the moon, it ceases to exist.
In quantum mechanics, "observation" is synonymous with quantum measurement and "observer" with a measurement apparatus and "observable" with what can be measured. Thus the quantum mechanical observer does not have to necessarily present or solve any problems over and above the (admittedly difficult) issue of measurement in quantum mechanics."
The word "observer" is a terrible word for precisely this reason. It's not a conscious mind, it's a measuring device.Observer - WikiQuote from: wikiIn quantum mechanics, "observation" is synonymous with quantum measurement and "observer" with a measurement apparatus and "observable" with what can be measured. Thus the quantum mechanical observer does not have to necessarily present or solve any problems over and above the (admittedly difficult) issue of measurement in quantum mechanics."
You have to know which side of the quantum fence Schrödinger was on. The history of the development of quantum mechanics is like a battle ground with lots of coercion going on.http://www.iflscience.com/physics/schrödinger’s-cat-explained
Quote from: Wajideu on 01/11/2015 10:58:17The word "observer" is a terrible word for precisely this reason. It's not a conscious mind, it's a measuring device.Observer - Wiki [nofollow]Quote from: wikiIn quantum mechanics, "observation" is synonymous with quantum measurement and "observer" with a measurement apparatus and "observable" with what can be measured. Thus the quantum mechanical observer does not have to necessarily present or solve any problems over and above the (admittedly difficult) issue of measurement in quantum mechanics."Nope , ''In science, the term observer effect refers to changes that the act of observation will make on a phenomenon being observed. This is often the result of instruments that, by necessity, alter the state of what they measure in some manner. A commonplace example is checking the pressure in an automobile tire; this is difficult to do without letting out some of the air, thus changing the pressure. This effect can be observed in many domains of physics.,A cat is not naturally stuck inside a box, therefore observer effect asks a question that is not relative to anything.
The word "observer" is a terrible word for precisely this reason. It's not a conscious mind, it's a measuring device.Observer - Wiki [nofollow]Quote from: wikiIn quantum mechanics, "observation" is synonymous with quantum measurement and "observer" with a measurement apparatus and "observable" with what can be measured. Thus the quantum mechanical observer does not have to necessarily present or solve any problems over and above the (admittedly difficult) issue of measurement in quantum mechanics."
Quantum superposition can be viewed as being based on the uncertainty principal; which dumbs down to the fact that there are certain things that you just can't know at the same time; e.g. the position and momentum of a particle. If you try to measure the position of a particle, the act of taking a measurement will alter it's state, causing it to behave differently. This extends to the atomic level. Atoms have a ground state and one or more excited states. When not being measured, the atoms will exhibit the traits of being in all states simultaneously. Once measured though, the measurement will make the atom behave differently, locking it to a single state.
The word "observer" is a terrible word for precisely this reason. It's not a conscious mind, it's a measuring device.