What is Quantum Computing?

Introduction

In today’s modern world, computers are used in everyday life for many tasks, with people doing things like making grocery lists and solving math problems. However, some of the more complex tasks that are attempted on these machines by humans are simply too complicated for classical computers to do. Quantum computers solve this problem in an interesting way.

Quantum Computing and Quantum Mechanics

Quantum computing is a form of computing that uses quantum mechanics to function. Basically, quantum mechanics is a branch of physics involving how miniscule objects exhibit properties of both small fragments of matter known as particles and waves, an interruption that is able to transfer energy.

A conventional computer runs off of a binary system where bits, the fundamental base of the computer, has a value of either 0 (off) or 1 (on).  A quantum computer uses qubits (quantum bits) can be both 0 (off) and 1 (on) at the same time and therefore in a superposition. A superposition is when a quantum system (in this case, a qubit) is in multiple states at one given time until the value is established.

Applications

Since quantum computing is very different from classical computing, it is able to do things that would either take extremely long or be impossible to do on a conventional computer. For example, one of the countless things a quantum computer can do for us involves cracking encryption keys. Most complex scenarios would actually take trillions of years for a standard computer, but could take as little as seconds for a quantum computer. Another category quantum computers excel in over conventional computers are some complicated financial tasks. A quantum computer is able to find the most profitable combination of stocks, assets, bonds, etc. that you could invest into. This would again take very long for a classical computer to do. Finally, you will be able to solve problems that affect the entire planet like finding the right chemical combination to make a sustainable fertilizer for the Earth’s crops that could change the world.

Computers

- In the modern world, computers are used for lots of tasks

- Common computers known as classical or conventional computers

Quantum Computing and Quantum Mechanics

- Quantum computing relies on mechanics to work

- Quantum mechanics involves small objects that have properties of particles and waves

- Waves are an interruption that can transfer energy

- Particles are small pieces of matter

- Classical computes run off of bits

- Bits have values of either 0 or 1

- 0 = off and 1= on

- Quantum computers use qubits

- Qubits are 0 and 1 at the same time

- Superposition: When a quantum system is is in multiple states at a time until the value is decided

Applications

- A quantum computer can do things that are impossible to do on a conventional computer

- A quantum computer can crack encryption keys

- A quantum computer can perform complicated financial tasks like finding a profitable combination of stocks and bonds

- A quantum computer can find the right chemical combination to make a fertilizer, changing the world

- In the modern world, computers are used for lots of tasks

- Common computers are known as classical or conventional computers

- Quantum computing relies on quantum mechanics to function

- Quantum mechanics involves small objects that have properties of particles and waves

- Waves - An interruption that can transfer energy

- Particles are small pieces of matter

- Classical computers run off of bits

- Bits have values of either 0 or 1

- 0 = off and 1= on

- Quantum computers use quantum bits: qubits

- Qubits are 0 and 1 at the same time

- Superposition: When a quantum system is is in multiple states at a time until the value is decided

- A quantum computer can do things that are impossible to do on a conventional computer

- A quantum computer can crack encryption keys

- A quantum computer can perform complicated financial tasks like finding a profitable combination of stocks and bonds

- A quantum computer can find the right chemical combination to make a fertilizer

To summarize, quantum computing is a powerful form of computing that uses quantum mechanics to function. It is different from a classical computer as it has qubits in place of bits which is the main characteristic that differs it from a conventional computer. This allows the computer to perform many complex operations that would not be possible to efficiently perform on classical computers that could even change the entire world in the near future. It is an interesting technology that has unlimited potential waiting to be harnessed.

Energy.gov: https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsquantum-mechanics

Quanta Magazine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHoEjvuPoB8

Quantum Inspire: https://www.quantum-inspire.com/kbase/superposition-and-entanglement/

Quantumfy: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/quantumfy_getquantumfyed-quantumcomputing-futuretech-activity-7127082447640358912-inK_

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhS6ecYZFdQ&t=601s

Sean Ong: https://youtu.be/lypnkNm0B4A

Tech Target: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/binary

Tech Target: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/superposition

The Verge: https://youtu.be/w_-_H9eBte8

Thanks to my mother, father, and sister for motivating me the whole time, and my science teacher Ms. Swanson for introducing me to the Science Fair.