Introduction:
Quantum physics (also
called quantum mechanics or theory) is a branch of physics which deals with the
behavior of atoms and particles on microscopic scales.It explains about the
matter of the nature of the particles and the force which they make. Scientifically,
it is all about the study of Atoms which explains about protons, electrons and
neutrons. This is a basic fundamental for all the physical elements in the
existing world. It provides a mathematical description of the dual
particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It
also provides a substantially useful framework for many features of the modern
periodic table of elements and has played a significant role in the development
of many modern technologies. The laws that governs the tiny realm at quantum
level appear completely different from the familiar laws that govern the macro
everyday objects of the world.
Quantum Theory
Most originally Quantum theories are formulated within spaces and times that conform to Einstein’s special theory of relativity. While some versions of quantum theory are set within in the space times of general relativity, a complete adaptation of quantum theory and Einstein’s general theory of relativity remains beyond our grasp. The origin of quantum theory is a theory of matter; or more precisely it is a theory of the small components that comprise familiar matter. Quantum theory gives us the best explanation of these things. It also allows us to describe matter in electronic form, such as light. It is well known that light somehow consists of both light waves and particle-like photons. The concept of photon comes from the foundation of quantum theory.[1]
The origin of quantum theory can be marked by three different phenomena related to electric current, which are not well explained by classical physics methods. The first is the electric blackbody, to which Max Planck contributed in 1900. The second is the photoelectric effect, proposed by Albert Einstein in 1905. Third, the history of the spectrum of lines, its protagonist is Niels Bohr in 1913.[2]
The development of quantum physics begins in the early 20th century
when scientists tried to understand how light bulbs work. This led them into
the concealed workings of matter, into the sub-atomic building blocks of the
world. They discovered a realm where things can be in many places at once,
where chance and probability plays a huge role and where reality appears to
only truly exist when we observe it.[3] This principle implies two very
general features of quantum theory;
a. It is no longer
possible to form a clear picture of what is happening in the physical process.
b. It is no longer possible to
predict exactly what will happen when we make an observation.
Double-slit theory
One of the greatest physicists of the 1900s, Richard Feynman, described the double-slit experiment as “the central mystery” of quantum physics. The experiment proved that light travels as a wave and it was used to calculate the wavelength of light. The double-slit experiment was originally used to study light wave. In quantum physics, the experiment is done by firing a string of subatomic particles through two slits on a screen, beyond the slitted screen that can register the arrival of the electrons. The rate of delivery from the atom gun is adjusted so that there is only a single electron traversing the apparatus at any one time. An interference pattern was observed as though the atoms have gone through the slits behaving like waves.[6]
Quantum leap:
Quantum transitions are random transitions between quantum states. An electron at one energy level in an atom immediately jumps to another energy level, emitting or absorbing energy. It doesn’t take any time for the leap to occur and is random, selecting from the options available to the quantum entity in accordance with the strict rules of probability. It was observed that there occurs a jerky jump from one quantum amount to the other, never traversing in the area between leading to an uneasy uncertainty about the quantum states.[8]
His work inspired Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrodinger to develop the first complete formulations of quantum mechanics in 1925. Ultimately, they successfully predicted the spectra of elements of any complexity but to determine when a quantum jump would occur or what was actually happening during the quantum leap remains a mystery. To address the mystery, Bohr and Heisenberg developed the ‘Copenhagen interpretation’.Copenhagen describes transitions in quantum states as fundamentally random. The dice are rolled and the system transitions instantaneously.[9]
Werner Heisenberg : Uncertainty principle
In quantum physics, there is no such thing as absolute certainty when looking for something. This phenomenon is known as ‘uncertainty principle’ which was first introduced by the German Physicist Werner Heisenberg in 1927.[10]
Quantum entanglement:
Similar to Schrodinger’s cat thought experiment, electrons in their natural state exists as a superposition of both up and down spin. Only when measured do they give a definite up or down which is also referred to as ‘the collapse of the wave function. In quantum physics, wave function collapse occurs when a wave was initially in a superposition of a few states reduces to a single state due to interaction with the external world. When a pair of electrons are generated, interact or shared spatial proximity, their spin states can get entangled which is known s the quantum entanglement. Once the electrons are entangled the two electrons can only have opposite spins. If one is measured to have up spin, the second immediately becomes downspin. Electrons unmeasured do not have a single spin but a superposition of both up and down spin. When the entangled electrons are separated and measured, the measurement of one electron will correspond with the other no matter how far apart they may be. This information between the entangled electrons travels instantaneously, faster than the speed of light. Einstein called this phenomenon a ‘spooky action’.[13]
Applications of Quantum physics:
The entire computer industry is based on quantum mechanics. It is
an important tool to understand at the theoretical level the electronic
structure of chemical compounds and the mechanism, thermodynamics, and kinetics
of chemical reactions. It has been enormously successful in explaining
microscopic phenomena in all branches of physics. Quantum Physics is
significantly used in practical applications like, electronics, cryptography,
computing, and many aspect of modern technology. Few examples are:
1. Quantum cryptography: it uses the principles of quantum mechanics to encrypt data and transmit it in the way that the data transmitted reaches only to intended recipient. It takes advantage of quantum’s multiple states, coupled with its ‘no change theory’ which means it cannot be interrupted unknowingly.[14]
2. Quantum computing: it is an area of computing focused on developing computer technology based on the principles of quantum theory, which explains the behavior of energy and material at the atomic and subatomic levels. The basis of quantum computing is the Qubit, which can be 1, 0 or the superposition of both, unlike the classical computer bit of 1 or 0.[15]
3. Quantum teleportation: Also known as quantum telepheresis, is the process transfers the quantum state of one particle onto another identical particle, and at the same time erases the state in the original. It uses the phenomenon of quantum entanglement as a means of transmission. Due to their entangled state, the particles act as a single quantum object, described by a single wave function.[16]
Quantum Physics and Religion( Christianity):
The quantum principle of holding two apparently irreconcilable
models of a complex phenomenon or Bohr’s ‘principle of complementarity’
accounts for a religious relevance brought forth by Karl Barth and Thomas F.
Torrance. In the case of Bohr, the phenomenon is to be accounted for the
behavior of quantum events; for Barth, it is the relation between time and
eternity on the one hand and humanity and divinity in the person of Jesus
Christ on the other. For both Barth and Bohr, they argue, classical forms of reason
are pushed to their limits to explain the phenomena in question. So the result
is that the theoretical model looks very counterintuitive. Both maintain
vigorously the principle that the phenomenon should be allowed to disclose how
it can be known and avoid reducing the phenomenon to known forms by reducing it
to classical form.
The patristic period witnessed a decisive rejection of any attempt to explain Jesus involving the mediating concept of divinity and humanity. There is a direct Christological parallel with Bohr’s complementary account of waves and particles, the approach to Christology affirmed that the “two natures” was complete and complementary. Both science and religion have had to confront the problems raised when a phenomenon is encountered which cannot be adequately represented by the everyday understanding of the world.[17]
Conclusion:
Richard
Feynman stated, “If you think you understand Quantum Mechanics, you don’t
understand Quantum Mechanics.” The study of the quantum realm is not clear-cut
and obvious, it is an ongoing study that cannot be completely understood yet.
It has, no doubt, elevated the development of science and technology in
tremendous ways. The quantum universe is filled with possibilities and
probabilities. It has brought about the unconventional understanding of the
nature of physics of the world as well as shed more light on the Christian
understanding of the nature of Christ.
Bibliography:
e-books:
Berg, Elliot. “Quantum
Physics for Beginners: Discover the most mind blowing Quantum Physics Theories
made easy to understand the secrets and wonders of the science that is changing
our lives”
Holzner, Steven. “Quantum Physics for Dummies”,New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013.
McGrath, E.Alister. “Science & Religion: A New Introduction”,
2nd ed. Garsington Road, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
Polkinghome, John.“Quantum
Theory; A very short Introduction”, New York: Oxford University Press,
2002.
Other
e-source:
Britanicca.
“Quantum Mechanics”,
https://www.britanicca.com/science/quantum-mechanics-physics/Heisenberg-uncertainty-principle
, 25-05-2021, 10:07 am.
Infoplease,
“Theories of the Universe: That old
Quantum Theory”, https://www.infoplease.com/math-science/space/universe/theories-of-the-universe-that-old-quantum-theory,
25-05-2021, 10:44 am.
Korolov,
Maria and Doug Drinkwater. “what is
Quantum Cryptography? It’s no silver bullet, but could improve security” CSO
India, https://www.cssoonline.com/article/3235970/what-is-quantum-cryptography-it-it-no-silver-bullet-but-could-improve-security.html
25-05-2021, 1:50 pm.
PBS
Space Time, “what happens during a Quantum Jump?”, 25-05-2021, 12:57 pm.
https://youtu.be/j5HyMNNSGqQ
Richard
Haughton. “Quantum teleportation is even weirder than you think”, 20 July 2017,
https://www.nature.com/news/quantum-teleportation-is-even-weirder-than-you-think-1.22321
25-05-2021, 2:11 pm.
Science
ABC. “Quantum Entanglement: Explained in really Simple Words”, 25-05-2021, 1:26
pm. https://youtu.be/fkAAbXPEAtU
Sciencealert.
“how do Quantum computers work?”,
https://www.sciencealert.com/quantum-computers 25-05-2021, 1:57 pm.
Science
Time. “Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the Weirdness of Quantum Physics,”
14-03-2021, 10:24, https://youtu.be/SDxzZHSBhw0.
Spark. “The Mind
Bending Story Of Quantum Physics (Part 1/2),” 20-03-2018, 58:55,
https://youtu.be/ISdBAf-ysl0.
[1]https://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/teaching/HPS-0410/chapters/quantum-theory-origins/ (accessed on 25/5/21).
[2]https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical-and-Theological-Chemical-Textbook-Maps/Supplemental-Modules-(Physical-and-Theoretical-Chemistry)/Quantm-Mechanics/01.-Waves-and-Particles/Chapter-1%3A-Atoms-and-Photons%3A-Origin-of-Quantum-Theory (accessed on 25/5/21).
[3]Spark, “The Mind Bending Story Of Quantum Physics (Part 1/2),” 20-03-2018, 58:55, https://youtu.be/ISdBAf-ysl0 .
[4] Steven Holzner, “Quantum Physics for Dummies”, (New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013), 20.
[5] John Polkinghome, “Quantum Theory; A very short Introduction”, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2002), 21-22.
[6] Elliot Berg, “Quantum Physics for Beginners: Discover the most mind blowing Quantum Physics Theories made easy to understand the secrets and wonders of the science that is changing our lives”
[7] John Polkinghome, “Quantum Theory”…, 23-24.
[8]Infoplease, “Theories of the Universe: That old Quantum Theory”, https://www.infoplease.com/math-science/space/universe/theories-of-the-universe-that-old-quantum-theory, ( accessed on 25-05-2021, 10:44 am).
[9] PBS Space Time, “what happens during a Quantum Jump?”, 25-05-2021, 12:57 pm. https://youtu.be/j5HyMNNSGqQ
[10] Science Time, “Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the Weirdness of Quantum Physics,” 14-03-2021, 10:24, https://youtu.be/SDxzZHSBhw0.
[11] Steven Holzner, “Quantum Physics for Dummies”, (New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013), 21.
[12] Britanicca, “Quantum Mechanics”, https://www.britanicca.com/science/quantum-mechanics-physics/Heisenberg-uncertainty-principle , ( accessed on 25-05-2021, 10:07 am).
[13] Science ABC, “Quantum Entanglement: Explained in really Simple Words”, 25-05-2021, 1:26 pm. https://youtu.be/fkAAbXPEAtU
[14] Maria Korolov and Doug Drinkwater, “what is Quantum Cryptography? It’s no silver bullet, but could improve security” CSO India, https://www.cssoonline.com/article/3235970/what-is-quantum-cryptography-it-it-no-silver-bullet-but-could-improve-security.html ( accessed on 25-05-2021, 1:50 pm).
[15] Sciencealert, “how do Quantum computers work?”,https://www.sciencealert.com/quantum-computers ( accessed on 25-05-2021, 1:57 pm).
[16]Richard Haughton, “Quantum teleportation is even weirder than you think”, 20 July 2017, https://www.nature.com/news/quantum-teleportation-is-even-weirder-than-you-think-1.22321 ( accessed on 25-05-2021, 2:11 pm).
[17] Alister E. McGrath, “Science & Religion: A New Introduction”, 2nd ed. (Garsington Road, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), 160-161.
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