32 quantum states of an electron

In summary: Originally posted by benzun_1999In summary, this article discusses the idea of using the quantum states of an electron to create a supercomputer. It is not clear if this is an old concept or if this is something that is currently being researched.
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benzun_1999
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what are the 32 quantum states of an electron?
 
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  • #2
There is no specific number of allowable quantum states for electrons in general. Instead, the electron's environment dictates what energy levels it can have. A free electron moving through a vacuum could actually have any of an infinity of allowed quantum states. An electron in an s-orbital in an atom can be in one of only two states.

- Warren
 
  • #3
Chroot is right except for one thing. The quantum wave function for a free particle is nonnormalizable meaning that a free particle cannot really exist in a vacuum. So the idea of an infinite number of quantum states is not viable in that reguard.
 
  • #4
BUT...

a book i read lately said that using the 32 quantum states of an electron you can create a super computer so i thought that 32 states of quantum really existed, so i asked this question.
 
  • #5
Perhaps in the specific quantum dot the computer used, the electron had 32 possible states. In general, however, there is no specific number -- it depends on the environment the electron is in.

- Warren
 
  • #6


Originally posted by benzun_1999
a book i read lately said that using the 32 quantum states of an electron you can create a super computer

What book, and what was the surrounding context?

so i thought that 32 states of quantum really existed, so i asked this question.

The n=4 state of a hydrogenlike atom is the only system I can think of that has exactly 32 states. But the electron is by no means limited to 32 (just promote it to n=5!).
 
  • #7
Originally posted by benzun_1999
what are the 32 quantum states of an electron?

Was string theory mentioned? The reason I ask is that in the 10-dimensional spacetimes of string theory, spacetime spinors (electrons are spinors) fill out spinorial representations of the lorentz group that are 32 dimensional.
 
  • #8
the right way in the past

That is right in last time , the quantum theory give our the many new particle and new phys fact. some particle in time is so short, it is sorry in the past long time and huge money. but the success in quantum is right.
 
  • #9
what the book said......

All i read from that book is that you can create a super computer using the 32 states of electron. as most of the computer use only 2 states of an electron, the writer predicted that with the 32 states of an electron you can create a super powerful computer.
 
  • #10
I think your book should be thrown in the fire. Normal computers don't make use of the quantum states of electrons at all, and quantum computers do not necessarily need to provide electrons 32 states.

- Warren
 
  • #11
32 bit (super) computers? Must be an old book.:wink:
 
  • #12


Originally posted by Tom
What book, and what was the surrounding context?


Could it have been Michael Chrichton’s Timeline? The posting sounds like it came straight from the text.
 

What are the 32 quantum states of an electron?

The 32 quantum states of an electron refer to the different possible energy levels and orbital configurations that an electron can occupy within an atom. These states are determined by the quantum numbers and principles of quantum mechanics.

How are the 32 quantum states of an electron determined?

The 32 quantum states of an electron are determined by the four quantum numbers: principal quantum number, azimuthal quantum number, magnetic quantum number, and spin quantum number. These numbers describe the energy level, shape, orientation, and spin of the electron, respectively.

What is the significance of the 32 quantum states of an electron?

The 32 quantum states of an electron are significant because they determine the chemical and physical properties of an atom. The arrangement of electrons in an atom affects its reactivity, bonding, and overall behavior.

Can an electron occupy more than one quantum state at a time?

No, according to the Pauli exclusion principle, each electron can only occupy one unique quantum state at a time. This principle states that no two electrons within an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers, ensuring the stability of atoms.

How do the 32 quantum states of an electron relate to quantum computing?

In quantum computing, the 32 quantum states of an electron can be used to represent and manipulate information in qubits, the basic unit of quantum information. By utilizing the principles of superposition and entanglement, these states can increase the computational power and efficiency of quantum computers.

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