Understanding Quantum Entanglement
Quantum entanglement is one of the most fascinating and mind-bending concepts in quantum mechanics. It describes a situation where two or more particles become linked together in such a way that they share the same fate, no matter how far apart they are.
Einstein famously called it "spooky action at a distance" because it seemed to violate the principle of locality – the idea that an object can only be influenced by its immediate surroundings. When you measure a property of one entangled particle, you instantly know the corresponding property of the other, even if they're light-years apart.
This doesn't mean that information is being transmitted faster than light, though. The correlation is established at the time of entanglement, and neither measurement can be used to send a signal. It's a profoundly subtle and still-not-fully-understood phenomenon.
Key Concepts:
- Correlation
- Superposition
- Quantum States
Further Reading:
Quantum Entanglement - Wikipedia