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What if the measurement device in the double slit experiment were a light year away? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In the famous double slit experiment, setting up a measurement device that watches which slit an electron passes through changes the eventual outcome on the screen, causing the wave function to collapse.

If the measurement device were a light year away and were precise enough to "zoom in" and see which slit the electrons went through, what would happen on the final screen?

Surely, if the measurement device were off, then the electrons would behave like waves and not particles. An interference pattern would appear on the final screen as there is no observer. On the other hand, if someone a light year away turned on the measurement device, this far-away person (and the measurement device) wouldn't know which slit the electrons went through until a year later. And, the electrons going through the slits wouldn't "know" they are being observed because no information (ie the measurement device turning on) can travel faster than the speed of light.

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[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If the measurement device were a light year away and were precise enough to “zoom in” and see which slit the electrons went through, what would happen on the final screen?

That level of precision implies technological advancement, that would result with far better equipment to perform the test and measure the results, providing they would be still needed.

I know it sounds like an attempt to brush the question off, but it's Spherical Cow and/or Newton's Flaming Laser Sword territory. 😉

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The results of the double slit experiment and the uncertainty principle will not change with our level of technology. They are fundamental laws of nature.

The quality of the camera to observe the result of the double slit experiment (meaning the pattern on the wall) has no effect on the results.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I disagree.

The hardware, software, money involved and other variables required to conduct an experiment from a lightyear away definitely elevate the project to different level on Kardashev's scale.