Aarva

The Conversation ·Future-gazing

What Does It Mean to Be ‘quantum’? A Physicist Explains the Basics Behind Einstein’s Spooky Actions at a Distance

by Aldo Romero, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University

Published 2026-07-15 12:12:28+00:00

How do scientists build a computer out of particles that can be in two places at once?

0:00 / 10:42 · Narrator Algieba

Context

A flashlight beam cutting through a dark room follows a straight line, at least to the naked eye. At the atomic scale, however, light travels every possible path at once. Writing on 15 July 2026, a physicist explains why this strange behavior is moving from whiteboard theory into the hardware of new computers. These machines might eventually crack the codes protecting bank accounts and medical records, turning a spooky scientific quirk into a tool that could reshape the way everyone stays safe online.

Show notes

Quantum mechanics relies on principles like superposition and entanglement, where particles exist in multiple states or remain linked across distances. These concepts form the basis for quantum computers, which use qubits to perform calculations that are impossible for standard machines. The technology has the potential to change drug discovery and digital encryption, though current hardware remains limited by the extreme fragility of quantum states.

Read on The Conversation →