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The math of QM underpins so much of modern technology, like transistors, MRIs, high precision clocks.. I feel like there's been a humongous failure of science
by bollu 4y ago
The math of QM underpins so much of modern technology, like transistors, MRIs, high precision clocks..
I feel like there's been a humongous failure of science communication if the applications of QM aren't obvious to you :( I don't mean that in a mean spirited fashion, I really do feel despair that someone on HN who enjoyed physics wasn't shown how quantum physics has been the bedrock for so much technology!
EDIT: quick list of places QM/quantum physics is used in the real world: https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/quantum-technology https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-e...
- kungito 4y agoOf course if QM is a current ly valid theory that it can be found in many of these examples but we don't really need to know about QM or the way it works to have a microwave oven or semiconductors. You don't use QM when modelling relevant things to get a semiconductor working, at least not the ones we were taught at college. My point being is I understand QM apparently underlies everything but do we ever really care? I did hear though that for current cutting edge semiconductors they have to take into account QM
- CamperBob2 4y agoHow can you do anything with semiconductors without band gap theory? To move beyond the cat's-whisker stage, QM and its practical implications are both absolutely essential.