The EPR paradox, conceived in the midst of the intellectual turmoil of the 1930s by Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen, remains one of the most fascinating and controversial enigmas of modern physics to this day. This thought experiment, which seemed intended to criticize and challenge quantum mechanics, actually shed light on unsuspected depths … Read more
Quantum physics, rich in enigmas and paradoxes, has shaken our classical understanding of the world. At the heart of these fascinating discoveries, the notion of quantum contextuality emerges as a fundamental principle that questions the very idea of an independent reality separate from observation. When venturing into this unexplored territory, each quantum measurement does not … Read more
The mysteries of quantum mechanics continue to fascinate and intrigue, particularly through concepts such as the principle of superposition and quantum states. At the heart of these complex ideas lies a famous thought experiment: Schrödinger’s cat. This paradox highlights the difficulties of reconciling our classical intuition with the strange reality of quantum particles that can … Read more
Quantum mechanics profoundly alters our understanding of the world. It describes tiny objects, such as electrons and atoms, with principles that are sometimes counterintuitive, like the superposition of states or entanglement. Yet, despite this fundamental strangeness, solid and defined objects that obey the much more familiar laws of classical physics appear around us in our … Read more
Quantum entanglement remains one of the most fascinating and mysterious phenomena in quantum physics. This ability to establish an immediate and unbreakable link between quantum states of particles, regardless of their distance, upends our classical concepts of reality and causality. This connection surpasses the simple idea of superposition and introduces the notion of non-locality, challenging … Read more
IN BRIEF Quantum fluctuations: spontaneous energy variations in quantum vacuum. Influence on the formation of structures in the universe. Elementary particles: emergence and rapid annihilation. Uncertainty principles: impact on quantum theory. Primordial universe: crucial role in cosmic inflation. Quantum voids: concepts of fluctuating energy zones. Applications in cosmology and particle physics. Quantum fluctuations represent a … Read more
IN BRIEF Uncertainty principle stated by Heisenberg in 1927 Inverse relationship between position and momentum The more we know about position, the less we can know about momentum, and vice versa Observation of a particle changes its state Impacts on quantum physics and understanding of the universe Leads to reflections in philosophy and psychology Used … Read more
IN BRIEF Gravitational singularity: a region of spacetime where the laws of physics become imprecise. Involves mathematical limits according to the Einstein theory. References to the Penrose theorems and Hawking regarding black holes. Singularities are points where certain physical parameters reach infinity. The hidden singularity implies that physical laws break down. Interest in cosmology to … Read more
IN BRIEF Hidden dimensions in the Universe: concepts and theories. Mechanism to confer mass to neutrinos. Physics of particles confined on surfaces called branes. Exploration of hidden variables in quantum physics. Kaluza-Klein theory and additional dimensions. Search for particles of the standard model and the graviton. Links with concepts of multiverse and time travel. Attempts … Read more
IN BRIEF Definition: A thought experiment is a hypothetical method used to explore complex concepts in theoretical physics. Steps: Includes the formulation of hypotheses, the description of imaginary situations, and the analysis of results. Usefulness: Helps to clarify theories, illustrate physical principles, and challenge preconceived ideas. Famous examples: include Galileo’s experiments on falling bodies and … Read more