Subscribe now

Columnist and Physics

Why the most important topic in physics could be statistical mechanics

Statistical mechanics helps relate the quantum world to objects that seem solid and not governed by the whims of observation, but there are still questions to be answered, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

1 February 2023

2F7X3ED Funny playful cat looking in cardboard box. Cat loves to play with carton box

Daria Kulkova/Alamy

I RECENTLY walked by a physics department office that had a sticker on it saying something like “Heisenberg may or may not have been here”. This is in part a nod to the quantum cat, which, while it is inside a box with no observer, may be dead or alive. We aren’t sure until we look at it.

This feline thought experiment is intended to help us visualise a deep conceptual difficulty in quantum mechanics: the fact that the act of observing seems to determine what state matter is in. This is due to the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics…

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account