Copenhagen interpretation

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The Copenhagen interpretation is one of the oldest and most commonly taught interpretations of quantum mechanics. It was developed by Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg in the 1920s. The interpretation is named after the city of Copenhagen, where Bohr conducted much of his work.

Overview

The Copenhagen interpretation posits that physical systems generally do not have definite properties prior to being measured. Instead, quantum mechanics can only predict the probabilities of different outcomes of measurements. When a measurement is made, the wave function of the system "collapses" to a single eigenstate, corresponding to the observed outcome.

Key Concepts

• Wave Function: The mathematical description of the quantum state of a system. It contains all the information about the system.
• Superposition: The principle that a quantum system can exist in multiple states at once until it is measured.
• Wave Function Collapse: The process by which a wave function transitions from a superposition of states to a single state due to measurement.
• Complementarity: Introduced by Bohr, this principle states that objects have complementary properties which cannot be observed or measured simultaneously.

Historical Context

The Copenhagen interpretation was formulated during a period of intense development in quantum mechanics. It was a response to the need for a coherent framework to understand the results of experiments that could not be explained by classical physics.

Criticism and Alternatives

The Copenhagen interpretation has faced criticism from various physicists, including Albert Einstein, who famously said, "God does not play dice with the universe." Alternative interpretations include the Many-worlds interpretation, Pilot-wave theory, and Objective collapse theories.

Influence

Despite the criticisms, the Copenhagen interpretation remains one of the most widely taught and used interpretations in quantum mechanics. It has significantly influenced the development of quantum theory and the philosophy of science.

See Also

• Quantum mechanics
• Niels Bohr
• Werner Heisenberg
• Wave function
• Measurement problem
• Many-worlds interpretation
• Pilot-wave theory
• Objective collapse theories