A question about SUB-ATOMIC particles?

Question

I read that scientists are able to split a couple of sub-atomic particles, which normally exist together, place these particles in different laboratories and manipulate one of them, resulting in exactly the same changes occuring in the other one, despite it being physically seperated. Could anyone tell me a little more about these experiments please. Thankyou.

Answer 1

Research Bell's theorem. The little that I understand about it is that one particle is stimulated which sends a signal to the other particle and the only way for the twin to react correspondingly and instantaneously, this signal must travel faster than the speed of light.

Answer 2

I disagree with some of the stuff in the other answers. Quantum entanglement does NOT send a "signal", faster than light or otherwise. It's stranger than that. Particle B just somehow "knows" how particle A will be manipulated, and "adjusts" itself accordingly. But this "knowledge" and "adjustment" happen at the time that particle A and B are created! Plays havoc with free-will and basic causality.

Answer 3

What you're asking about is a quantum mechanical phenomenon known as 'quantum entanglement,' or 'spooky action at a distance.' The effect has been verified, but as of yet no one has come up with a viable theory about how it happens. Theoretically the two particles could be separated by hundreds of light years and still respond instantaneously to changes made in each one. In other words, the speed limit of the speed of light is somehow being bypassed.

Answer 4

It sounds as if you're talking about experiments involving quantum entanglement. That gets a bit deep to really go into here (in any detail) but there are lots of sites on the net dealing with the subject. Fire up a search engine and go get it ☺

Doug