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Old 11-08-2007, 02:58 PM
Max Raker Max Raker is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 708
Default Re: Do I Misunderstand The Double Slit Experiment

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This is another example of a paradox that I have been wondering about for awhile.

Apparent Paradox:

I run the double-slit experiment but do not observe the slit the electrons travel through. Someone a light-minute away with a powerful telescope flips a coin to decide whether to observe them. Will I see an interference pattern or not?

If I see an interference pattern then the observer should be able to see which slit each electron went through and find a contradiction.

If I do not see interference then I know that the observer will not observe the experiment one minute from now and in effect know the future result of his coin toss. I have observed an effect before the cause.

I am about to earn a B.S. in Physics and yet I don't really understand what will happen in this situation.

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After the guy flips the coin, it will take him 1 minute to be able to determine which slits the photons are going through. So you will know the result of his flip but only after a time of distance/c from the flip. Does that seem right to you?
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