What do quantum physicists mean when they say a partical can be in two places at the same time?

Question

How can this be?

Answer 1

The particles are not in two places at the same time. There can be two particles that are "quantum entangled". This means that certain paired properties will always have the same relationship no matter where the individual particles are located. So change the property on one, and the other will change instantly.

Answer 2

The laws of quantum mechanics gives you probabilities of finding an object at a certain place, which is why some people say the particle is at the two places at the same time. But, if you measure the system, the particle is only in one of the two state. For exemple: you have a particle of light (photon) coming on a mirror which reflects 50% of the incident light. The photon has a 50% chance of being reflected and a 50% chance of going through. In a quantum mechanics approach we will describe only the probability to find the particle and say that the particle is both in front and in the back. If you put a detector in the back and in the front you realise that there's never a photon in front at the same time as in the back. If you measure for many photons, you realise that 50% went trought and 50% were reflected.

Cheers,
Simon

Answer 3

Quantum Physics is a pile of disorderly mish-mash. the only reason physicists even came up with it was to answer the inexplicable. how can two things be at the same place at the same time. and how can a cat be alive and dead at the same time whether inside a box or otherwise?

Einstein decided that it was useless long ago and i think we should too. it won't be too long before someone else comes up with an idea just as irrational ang illogical and we'll all be forced to accept it ,that's what we do best.

Answer 4

Through quantum entanglement, the properties of one particle are linked to a partner. If the spin of particle A in Chicago changes, it change on particle B in London instantaneously. As to how... that's a good question. I don't know how. Magic, I guess.