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Maybe you’ve heard about quantum in science class or maybe in a sci-fi book! No matter where you’ve come across it, you probably know it’s a bit strange, maybe confusing but also possibly an important part of the future. And all these things are true!

Physics is about using numbers to predict how things will move and interact. Just by going about your day, you have a sense of how paper airplanes will fly or even how the Earth orbits the Sun. This kind of physics is called “classical”.

Quantum physics looks at the tiniest particles, like atoms and their building blocks. At these scales our familiar classical physics breaks down and new effects pop up instead. These weird quantum effects tell us more about how nature works… and could help us invent powerful technologies – like quantum computers.

We think everyone can get their head around quantum, so we created a contest for adults to explain their favourite quantum effect using everyday language. Our expert judges picked the top 5 entries and this story from Michelle Lucas is one of them. Here she talks about “superposition” and how quantum computers might use it to solve big problems.

Have you ever read a choose-your-own-adventure book with different endings and you can choose which one you read? Quantum science uses this idea of multiple possibilities to solve complicated problems.

Quantum focuses on understanding matter and the strange behaviour of certain particles. Everything around us is made of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms contain smaller particles: neutrons and protons in the centre, and negatively charged electrons moving in specific regions around them.

Electrons are fascinating because they can spin upward or downward and can absorb energy to move away from the centre or release energy to move closer. The energy they absorb or release comes in small packets called photons (units of light energy).

Electrons and photons behave in strange ways. For example, we can’t pinpoint the exact location of electrons – only their likely region, we don’t know their energy level as they can “jump” to different levels, and we can’t be certain of their upward or downward spin. We can consider these multiple possibilities of an electron’s location, energy level, and spin by assuming all possibilities are true at once – this is called “superposition”. We can also apply this to photons.

By considering all possibilities at once, we can solve complicated problems much faster as we can test a number of solutions at once rather than having to test them one at a time. This can be used to quickly find the fastest route from home to school, discover which medicines work faster or discover new technologies!

Did you know that the United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology? To celebrate, the Australian Institute of Physics, Cosmos and Double Helix Extra put on the Quantum Explained Challenge. We will be sharing more of the top entries from Challenge in the year to come. Stay tuned!