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Quantum Wonders card QTM-19, Superposition, with a glowing paper-cut illustration. It reads: Before it is measured, a quantum particle can be in a blend of possibilities — not just one we haven’t checked yet.

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Chance & Measurement

Superposition

What’s going on

A coin hidden under your hand is already heads or tails; you just don’t know which. Superposition is different. Experiments show the possibilities interfere with each other like waves, which couldn’t happen if the answer were simply one we hadn’t looked at yet. When you measure, you get one definite result, with odds set by the blend. Quantum computers are built on this.

Myth

Superposition means there are two copies of the particle doing two things.

Fact

It is one particle, described by one blend.

Learn more

The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. III, ch. 1 and 3.

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QTM-19 from Quantum Wonders, free quantum physics cards for ages 10 to adult

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All 18 Quantum Wonders cards

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