What is quantum mechanics?

Quantum mechanics is a fundamental branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, such as atoms, electrons, and photons. Unlike classical physics, which describes the macroscopic world, quantum mechanics reveals that particles at the microscopic level do not follow the same rules—rather, they exhibit wave-particle duality, probabilistic outcomes, and other phenomena that challenge our everyday intuition. At its core, quantum mechanics explains how particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously (a concept known as superposition), how they can become linked through entanglement, and how measuring a quantum system affects its state. The theory uses mathematical objects called wavefunctions to represent the probabilities of finding a particle in various positions or states, rather than definite outcomes. Developed in the early 20th century by pioneers like Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger, and Werner Heisenberg, quantum mechanics has become essential for understanding and designing modern technologies such as semiconductors, lasers, and quantum computers. It provides a comprehensive framework for describing the physical universe at the smallest scales, fundamentally shaping our understanding of reality.

Quantum mechanics is a fundamental branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, such as atoms, electrons, photons, and other subatomic particles. Unlike classical physics, which works well for everyday objects, quantum mechanics explains phenomena that classical theories cannot, including the strange and counterintuitive properties of particles at the microscopic level. At its core, quantum mechanics introduces concepts such as wave-particle duality, where particles like electrons exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. It also involves the idea of quantization, meaning certain physical properties, like energy, can only take on discrete values. Another key principle is the uncertainty principle, which states that certain pairs of properties (like position and momentum) cannot both be known exactly at the same time. Additionally, quantum mechanics uses a mathematical framework called the wavefunction to describe the probabilities of finding a particle in various states or locations. Overall, quantum mechanics is essential for understanding and designing modern technologies such as semiconductors, lasers, and quantum computers. It has profoundly changed our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level.