science

Can a Squash Ball Ever Behave Like a Quantum Object?

Quantum Magic: Why Squash Balls Won't Behave Like Quantum Objects

Can a Squash Ball Ever Behave Like a Quantum Object?

At the subatomic and atomic levels, objects behave like waves, acting as Quantum objects. Large objects, however, like a squash ball, consist of an astronomical number of atoms—almost 10^15. Each of these atoms acts as a wave-like quantum object.

The challenge is that in large objects, the waves from these countless atoms interfere with each other in a disorganized and random manner. This interference averages out to zero on a macroscopic scale, a phenomenon known as decoherence. Because of decoherence, it’s hard to get a large object to act like a quantum object.

For a macro object like a squash ball to behave like a quantum object, all its quadrillions of individual waves would need to be coherent, meaning they would have to act in an organized way. The more coherent an object, the more it behaves like a wave and a quantum object. Achieving coherence in large objects is next to impossible, making it unfeasible for things like squash balls.

Interestingly, scientists have managed to achieve coherence in some large molecules consisting of several thousand atoms. This shows that while difficult, it’s not entirely impossible under the right conditions.



Similar Posts
Blog Image
Can Life Actually Defy the Laws of Physics?

Life as a Master of Cosmic Chaos: The Dance of Entropy and Order

Blog Image
Are We All Living in a Quantum Mystery World?

Dancing with Shadows: Where the Microscopic World Defies Everyday Rules

Blog Image
Could You Imagine Living Without Words? How Aphasia Reveals the Power of Language

Connecting the Threads of Language: Aphasia’s Hidden Battleground

Blog Image
Are We On the Brink of Creating Conscious AI Minds?

Mapping the Uncharted Frontier: AI's Potential and Peril

Blog Image
Discovering the Invisible: How Neutrinos Quietly Shape Our Cosmic Reality

Neutrinos, elusive particles, reveal cosmic stories by shaping the universe's structure and fueling stars, hinting at new physics and universal mysteries.

Blog Image
How Glass Windows, Lenses, and Fiber Optics Revolutionized Human History and Modern Technology

Discover how glass shaped human civilization through windows, lenses, and fiber optics—from ancient Rome to quantum computing. Explore 5 key innovations that changed how we see the world. Read more.