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Quantum nonlocality

Quantum nonlocality is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Quantum nonlocality rather than just read about it. In short: In theoretical physics, quantum nonlocality refers to the phenomenon by which the measurement statistics of a multipartite quantum system do not allow an interpretation with local hidden variables. Quantum nonlocality has been experimentally verified under a variety of physical assumptions, with a notable exception being the many-worlds interpretation which violates an assumption of Bell's theorem.

Quantum nonlocality — main illustration
Quantum nonlocality — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Quantum nonlocality belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Quantum nonlocality to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Quantum nonlocality from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In theoretical physics, quantum nonlocality refers to the phenomenon by which the measurement statistics of a multipartite quantum system do not allow an interpretation with local hidden variables. Quantum nonlocality has been experimentally verified under a variety of physical assumptions, with a notable exception being the many-worlds interpretation which violates an assumption of Bell's theorem. Quantum nonlocality does not allow for faster-than-light communication, and hence is compatible with special relativity and its universal speed limit of objects. Thus, quantum theory is local in the strict sense defined by special relativity and, as such, the term "quantum nonlocality" is sometimes considered a misnomer. Still, it prompts many of the foundational discussions concerning quantum theory.

History

Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen

In the 1935 EPR paper, Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky and Nathan Rosen described "two spatially separated particles which have both perfectly correlated positions and momenta" as a direct consequence of quantum theory. They intended to use the classical principle of locality to challenge the idea that the quantum wavefunction was a complete description of reality, but instead they sparked a debate on the nature of reality. Afterwards, Einstein presented a variant of these ideas in a letter to Erwin Schrödinger, which is the version that is presented here. The state and notation used here are more modern, and akin to David Bohm's take on EPR. The quantum state of the two particles prior to measurement can be written as

| ψ A B ⟩ = 1 2 ( | 0 ⟩ A | 1 ⟩ B − | 1 ⟩ A | 0 ⟩ B ) = 1 2 ( | − ⟩ A | + ⟩ B − | + ⟩ A | − ⟩ B ) {\displaystyle \left|\psi _{AB}\right\rangle ={\frac {1}{\sqrt {2}}}\left(\left|0\right\rangle _{A}\left|1\right\rangle _{B}-\left|1\right\rangle _{A}\left|0\right\rangle _{B}\right)={\frac {1}{\sqrt {2}}}\left(\left|-\right\rangle _{A}\left|+\right\rangle _{B}-\left|+\right\rangle _{A}\left|-\right\rangle _{B}\right)}

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Quantum nonlocality

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Quantum nonlocality claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Quantum nonlocality before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Quantum nonlocality ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Quantum nonlocality

In research
Quantum nonlocality appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Quantum nonlocality in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Quantum nonlocality is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Quantum field theory, Quantum measurement, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Quantum nonlocality outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Quantum nonlocality in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Quantum nonlocality means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Quantum nonlocality out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Quantum nonlocality in simple terms?

In theoretical physics, quantum nonlocality refers to the phenomenon by which the measurement statistics of a multipartite quantum system do not allow an interpretation with local hidden variables. Quantum nonlocality has been experimentally verified under a variety of physical assumptions, with a…

Why does Quantum nonlocality matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Quantum nonlocality?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Quantum nonlocality.

Tags

  • Quantum field theory
  • Quantum measurement

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