Quantum Mechanics

[kazza]

Quantum Mechanics, while taking a little while to learn, is by far the most extraordinary theory in science. It completely flies in the face of everything you thought you knew about reality, calling into question some of our most basic assumptions about the universe, assumptions like cause and effect, determinacy, locality, and the existence of an objective reality regardless of whether or not anyone is observing it.

So, since the science forum has been so quiet I figured I would explain it to anyone that is willing to listen. This is prety much what I do all day at uni (and some other topics as well), and probably what I will be getting involved in for the rest of my life. Feel free to ask me any questions along the way, I really love telling people about quantum mechanics, it's especially nice on those nights when you're sitting out under the stars, having a few beers and pondering the meaning of life, but I guess an internet forum is the next best thing.

I should warn you there is a bit of learning involved, but no maths or anything like that. I'll try to keep it as interesting as possible, so don't be scared by any long posts, I'm going to try to condense down a year or so worth of physics into something fit for an internet forum, and while I'm only bringing up the really interesting ideas, for you to really understand just how amazing they are you need a little bit of an understanding of the concepts that underpin them. So like I said, feel free to ask me to clarify anything that you don't understand.