The Principles of Quantum Mechanics

Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that describes how tiny particles, like atoms and electrons, behave. Unlike objects in our everyday experience, these particles exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, and their positions or speeds can only be predicted in probabilities. They can exist in multiple states simultaneously (superposition) until measured, which causes them to 'choose' a specific state. Additionally, particles can become entangled, meaning their properties are linked across distances. These principles reveal that at small scales, nature operates differently from classical physics, emphasizing fundamental uncertainty and interconnectedness.