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Murshid Salam

Program Controller, Ericsson India Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

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In double slit experiment of Thomas Young, why do electrons (particles) behave like waves when we aren't observing them?

In double slit experiment of Thomas Young, electrons (particle) behaves like a particle when they are under observation. But how they suddenly behave like a wave when we do not observe them.

Topics: quantum superposition
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  • William Humphrey

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    Jul 27 2012: Our perception effects our reality due to the fifth fundamental force found in the universe. The book Quantum Philosophy calls it Perceptible Consciousness.
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      Marius Moe

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      Jul 31 2012: Interesting idea, but there is no evidence for Perceptible Consciousness, so calling it a fundamental anything is folly. It is an idea, explored by someone who didn't have all the facts, and against which there are actual evidence.
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        natasha nikulina 50+

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        TED Translator
        Jul 31 2012: How do you think the evidence could possibly look like ?
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          Marius Moe

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          Jul 31 2012: For instance, an experiment where the results would change, based on whether or not the experiment was observed, and nothing else.

          The double-slit experiment have seemed that way for many who doesn't understand what the detectors do, and how they interfere with particles by detecting them.

          To scale, it has been kind of like hitting a marble (1) with another marble (2) in a dark room to find the position of marble (1).

          Earlier this year, with a more advanced detecting technique, it became possible to observe which slit the foton went through without interfering with the wave-like property of the particle itself, putting to rest filosophical musings as to whether or not light particles change their behavior "if they know they're being watched".

          It's the mechanics of the experiment that hasn't been advanced enough, yet. Not a form of consciousness.

          I have no aversion to philosophical musings or even fringe experiments that examines our reality and whether or not there are things that we operate under the impression of, that in reality are false, but blanket statements that goes directly against evidence is hard for me to swallow.

          When someone makes a statement about fundamental forces in the universe, it would be nice if they themselves could attempt to back it up with evidence, instead of me finding ways to do their experiments for them.
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        natasha nikulina 50+

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        TED Translator
        Jul 31 2012: "an experiment where the results would change, based on whether or not the experiment was observed, and nothing else."

        It's catch 22 . : ) If the experiment is not observed, we have no results of of the experiment .

        Thanks for responding !

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