Single atom experiment gives scientists a reality check

Australian physicists have proved one of the most mind-blowing quantum theories on offer, confirming that reality does not exist until it is measured – at least at the atomic scale.

The experiment, constructed and carried out at Canberra’s Australian National University, is significant as it represents the first time John Wheeler’s famous delayed-choice experiment has been conducted using a single atom.

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> confirming that reality does not exist until it is measured

Does that mean that the laws of quantum mechanics didn’t exist before they were observed?

mollwollfumble said:

> confirming that reality does not exist until it is measured

Does that mean that the laws of quantum mechanics didn’t exist before they were observed?

Presumably, and not just “observed” but also “measured”.

Or that would be a reasonable conclusion if the original statement were true.

I think a better statement would be that nothing happens until it happens.

The Rev Dodgson said:

mollwollfumble said:

> confirming that reality does not exist until it is measured

Does that mean that the laws of quantum mechanics didn’t exist before they were observed?

Presumably, and not just “observed” but also “measured”.

Or that would be a reasonable conclusion if the original statement were true.

I think a better statement would be that nothing happens until it happens.

When it happens it happened any time in the past