Quantum Physics Comes from Vacuum Energy, Scientists Prove

I have been alerted that the energy industry will soon be revolutionized by new technology to extract energy from the vacuum. If that sounds somewhat far-fetched, in a new paper a group of physicists deliver the maths to back up their claim. The wave-functions of quantum physics are really properties of the vacuum, proving that it is a kind of medium. I had a look at the paper.

These Physicists Say They Found The Origin Of Reality

One of the most perplexing questions in the foundations of physics is how our shared sense of reality emerges out of quantum mechanics. This is because in quantum mechanics, it seems, different observers can arrive at different conclusions about what is real and what not. A group of physicists now used an approach called “Quantum Darwinism” to solve this tricky problem. At least they say they solved it. I am not so sure. Let’s have a look.

Physicist Publishes Method For Communicating With Parallel Universes

In the many worlds theory of quantum physics, all possible outcomes of a quantum event occur, creating branching parallel worlds in which a different outcome is reality. According to a recently published paper, communication between those worlds should be possible under our current understanding of quantum physics. Sounds crazy? Let’s take a look.

Quantum Physics Can Change the Past, Physicists Show

Quantum physics works extremely well. It predicts experiments with absurd accuracy… but conceptually it’s a disaster. Here’s one example – in a recently published paper, physicists have come up with a quantum physics paradox that seems to show that we can change the past with quantum physics. Let’s take a look.

Why Quantum Computers might never work

Quantum computers have made a massive splash over the past years, with quantum computing projects racking up billions of dollars in private and public investment. But according to a small group of physicists, quantum computers will never scale to any meaningful level. Let’s take a look at their reasoning.

Surprise: Free Will Needs Quantum Physics to Fail, Physicists Show

Some physicists believe that human consciousness is somehow linked to the indeterministic element of quantum physics. But according to a surprising new argument that just appeared on the arXiv, a world where everything is ruled by quantum physics is incompatible with the idea of free will. Let’s take a look.

100+ Years Old Debate About Quantum Reality Settled With Experiment. Really?

In quantum physics, a wave function is a mathematical way to describe everything in the universe. But since quantum physics emerged, physicists have argued about whether or not the wave function is real. A group of physicists recently conducted a test of a theorem that describes the mechanics of the wave function, and they’ve told the press that they’ve settled the question: Yes, the wave-function is real. Let’s take a look.

Reality Doesn’t Need Complex Numbers, Physicists Prove

Complex numbers are created when you add a real number and an imaginary number (like “i”). These numbers are used throughout math and physics, notably in the Schrödinger equation, which is the key to quantum physics. In 2021, physicists published a paper claiming that you can’t entirely get rid of complex numbers in quantum physics, but two teams of physicists recently published papers disputing that claim. Let’s take a look.

New Experiment Explains Why We Don't See Quantum Effects Everywhere

We don’t see the effects of quantum physics outside the submicroscopic scale. That’s why your lunchbox can’t be in two places at once and cats aren’t dead and alive at the same time. But why, exactly, is this true? According to physicists who’ve recently published a paper on that question, the theory of Quantum Darwinism can answer it. Let’s take a look.

In which I lose faith in quantum computing

Quantum computing is one of the most anticipated new technologies on the horizon, with many quantum computing firms earning themselves billion-dollar valuations. In today’s video I explain why I strongly doubt that the technology will ever have a sensible return on investment.

Quantum Computers Could Test Free Will, Researchers Claim

In quantum physics, the idea that observed correlations between particles come from the way that the measurement device affects the particles is called a violation of “Measurement Independence” or “Superdeterminism.” The authors of a new paper claim that the more complicated one makes an experiment, the larger the violation of measurement independence must be to explain observations. They conclude that quantum computers can test free will. Wait what? I’ve had a look at the paper.

10 Quantum Myths, Debunked

I recently made a video about 10 physics myths, and a lot of you asked that I do another one about quantum myths in particular. Let’s take a look.

Did These Physicists Just Prove True Randomness?

A group of physicists claim they have proof that true randomness exists. This has implications for encryption protocols and computing, but (if true) would also indicate that the past does not determine the present. But are their findings actually legitimate? Let’s find out.

Causal Order Doesn’t Work, Physicists Find. Now what?

To us normal people, cause and effect are linked together in a distinct order. The cause occurs first, and the effect follows after. But according to a new paper, that causal order breaks down if you apply quantum mechanics to gravity. Join me in my quest to wrap my head around this head-spinning (but also plausible) paper.

Hypothetical Zero Point Motion is Real, Clever Experiment Shows

Zero-point energy is one of the most intriguing phenomena of quantum mechanics. Because quantum particles are also waves, they must always have more than zero energy. Zero-point motion is even crazier – it means that quantum particles at their lowest-energy point should also move, because of literally nothing. Zero point motion has been very hard to experimentally verify, but physicists confirmed it in a recent experiment – let’s take a look.

Did they just break quantum physics?

Quantum entanglement is a type of correlation between particles – meaning their states are inherently related to one another’s – which can survive across large distances. It is a quantum phenomenon that can exist only under certain circumstances. But a group of physicists recently published a study claiming they’ve created the effects of entanglement without actually entangling the particles. Get your headache medicine ready, because we’re about to take a look.

A New Test for Gravity & Quantum Physics With the Quantum Internet

The quantum internet seems like a waste of time and resources because the links between each node in the system are incredibly fragile and can be broken by the slightest amount of noise. But while the quantum internet might not end up delivering your email, researchers have recently claimed that it might be used to test how gravity and quantum physics interact. Let’s take a look.

Did MIT Researchers Just Prove Einstein Wrong?

In 1927, Einstein used a variant of the double slit experiment – at that time only a thought experiment – to argue that quantum mechanics are wrong. Up until recently, researchers have been unable to fully disprove his claims. Now, though, a group of physicists from MIT claim they’ve proven that Einstein was wrong about quantum physics by actually carrying out the experiment. Let’s take a look.

How Quantum Physics Changes Our View Of Reality

The discovery of quantum mechanics has fundamentally changed not just the field of physics but also our understanding of what reality is. Let’s take a look at just what makes quantum physics so weird and why it is so hard to reconcile with our perception of physical reality.

New Experiment Rules out Bohmian Mechanics. It’s Serious.

In the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, everything is described by a wave-function. But according to Bohmian mechanics, quantum mechanics actually describes point-like particles that follow a guiding wave. In a recent paper, physicists ruled out Bohmian mechanics, settling a 70 years long debate. Let’s take a look.