Physics
Wavefunction Collapse
Quick fact
A particle can exist in multiple states at once until measured, at which point it ‘chooses’ one state randomly.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered why measuring something changes what it is? In quantum physics, this is no coincidence—it’s called wavefunction collapse.
Read the full explanation
Understanding Wavefunction Collapse
Imagine a spinning coin in the air. While it's moving, it's both heads and tails. But when it lands, it becomes either one or the other. In quantum physics, particles behave like this—existing in all possible states at once until observed, which causes them to ‘collapse’ into one specific state.
A deeper explanation
Wavefunction collapse occurs when a quantum system is measured. The act of measurement forces the system to settle into one of its possible states, with probabilities determined by the wavefunction. This process is central to quantum mechanics and explains how observations can influence outcomes in ways that defy classical intuition.