Quantum mechanics is a fundamental area of study in physics, yet many physicists do not invest time thinking about its foundations because they believe it would distract them from practical applications. During a conference titled “Quantum mechanics demystified” at the Mexican humanistic and scientific advances cycle organized by Conahcyt, specialist Ana María Cetto Kramis expressed this sentiment. She highlighted the significance of quantum mechanics in studying atomic and subatomic systems, their interactions with radiation and other forces, and the release of energy in discrete units called quanta.
Dating back to almost a century ago, in 1925, renowned physicists Werner Karl Heisenberg and Erwin Rudolf Josef Alexander Schrödinger made groundbreaking contributions to the development of quantum mechanics. Despite its predictive capacity and numerous applications in various fields such as information, cryptography, and chemistry, quantum mechanics remains an incomplete theory due to its inability to explain the underlying causes behind observed phenomena.
Cetto Kramis discussed several mysteries surrounding quantum mechanics, including wave-particle duality, atomic stability, nonlocality, and entanglement. She explored Niels Bohr’s postulates, which touch upon the concept of electron stability and discrete orbits. The conference shed light on the challenges physicists face in comprehensively understanding and interpreting the complex nature of quantum mechanics.
Having dedicated a significant portion of her career to unraveling the mysteries of quantum mechanics, Cetto Kramis emphasized the importance of addressing the shortcomings of the theory. She discussed ongoing efforts to characterize the stochastic processes underlying quantum mechanics as a means to enhance our understanding of this complex field. By delving into the nuances of quantum mechanics, physicists can strive towards a more complete and nuanced understanding of our physical world.