3 ms·
If the particle interacts, that collapses the superposition. Not at all, the superposition spreads to the interacting particles. What destroys superpositions a
by danbruc 2y ago
If the particle interacts, that collapses the superposition.
Not at all, the superposition spreads to the interacting particles. What destroys superpositions are measurements and we do not know what measurements really are.
- lupusreal 2y agoYou can't measure something without interacting with it. So either it's the interaction that collapses it, or it's some sort of soul mumbo jumbo. If it's somehow the latter, there's no justification beyond shear anthropocentrism to suppose that physicists can do it but cats can't. Therefore, the cat observes itself.
- dTal 2y agoThe result is the same if you replace the cat with a physicist. The relevant distinction is whether the animal in question is inside or outside the sealed box - not species.
- dTal 2y agoWe do know what measurements are. "Superposition" and "collapse" are only really valid concepts in a particular reference frame. A "measurement" is an interaction in your preferred reference frame. The cat cannot "collapse" anything from your perpective - only its own. Indeed the cat itself does not experience superposition.