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Did Einstein get it wrong? Two new quantum experiments may finally settle one of physics’ greatest debates
A scientific dispute nearly a century old now appears to be nearing its conclusion, as the results of two new quantum experiments may clarify which of the opposing theories of Einstein and Bohr was correct, opening a new chapter in the history of quantum physics.
Albert Einstein is one of the greatest figures in modern physics, whose theories fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the universe and how the world works. According to an article in Popular Mechanics, however, it now seems that a long-standing debate between Einstein and Bohr over quantum experiments may finally have been resolved – and this time, Bohr appears to have been right.
The roots of a legendary debate
The 1920s are often regarded as a golden age of science. During this decade, Einstein’s theory of general relativity was confirmed, penicillin was discovered, the existence of other galaxies was proven, and the theoretical foundations of modern quantum mechanics were laid. This scientific revolution also gave rise to fierce debates, the most famous of which was the clash between Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr.
At the heart of the dispute was the so-called principle of complementarity. This theory states that a photon cannot simultaneously exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behaviour. In other words, we can either measure which path the photon took or observe the interference pattern it produces – but not both at the same time.
Einstein disagreed. He believed that, using a special experimental setup, both properties could be demonstrated simultaneously. His idea involved a spring-mounted device that would determine which slit the photon passed through, while the interference pattern would still reveal its wave nature. Bohr, however, argued that the quantum mechanical uncertainty principle made this impossible.