Quote: compare quantum behavior to bullets without interference and to waves with interference; if no detection, electrons are like waves but with detection, electrons are like bullets

Quotation Skeleton

To try to understand the quantum behavior of … with the more familiar behavior of particles like … We have a machine gun that shoots a … In front of the gun we have a … that has in it two holes just big … [p. 1-3] The effect with both holes open is … [Bullets] come in lumps, and their probability of … [p. 1-3] Now we wish to consider [a similar] experiment with water waves. … With our wave apparatus, the first thing to … [of a wave] can have any size. … The intensity … observed when both holes are open is certainly … [the intensity when each hole is open alone]. We say that there is "interference" of the two waves. … [p. 1-4] Now we imagine a similar [thought] experiment with electrons. … [p. 1-6] We conclude the following: The electrons arrive … distribution of intensity of a wave [i.e., there is interference]. … [Now add an electron detector near one of the holes.] [p. 1-7] we conclude that when we look … [but the probability of arrival sums instead of interfering.] .. [p. 1-9] It was suggested by Heisenberg that the then … experimental capabilities not previously recognized. He proposed, as … follows: "It is impossible to design an apparatus … the electrons enough to destroy the interference pattern." …   Google-1   Google-2

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Topic: quantum mechanics (100 items)