I designed a sculpture that simulates the characteristics of quantum entanglement, and I created a video using classical physics to describe quantum entanglement.
Quantum Entanglement is the physical phenomenon when two particles interact and share spatial proximity. This interaction creates a relation between the properties of one particle and the properties of the other. They start behaving as if they were communicating faster than the speed of light, or if they influence each other, even if they are separated a galaxy apart.
Superposition is when a quantum particle spins up and down at the same time. When two particles are entangled, the superposition affects both of them, so both particles spin up and down, but if we measure one of them, if this particle is up, we can assure that the other particle, regardless of physical distance, is down.
The particles are not communicating, they do not influence each other, and there is no tension or force between each other. It is as if both of the particles are actually one.
Quantum sculpture
The sculpture is a curved pipe that is constantly moving, but once a person gets closer, the movement of the person in the space will affect the movement of the sculpture.
For this project, I used an MPU 6050 3 Axis accelerometer & gyro breakout that collects the data from a person or a machine in motion. The data is sent to the stepper motor that controls the movement of the sculpture.
Quantum Entanglement Interactive Experience
I created various recorded experiences that explain quantum entanglement using classical physics. These short stories take the viewer through more descriptive and visual ways to understand this theory.
Quantum Entanglement explanatory graphic
Design
My objective was to create experiences where participants could understand the basics of quantum entanglement theory. The theory is explained by the interactions of the participants using simple materials. The challenge was to convey a clear concept that participants and viewers could understand.
Experience One - Shapes of Quantum
The experience is divided into three parts:
The two participants wearing the cardboard represent the entangled particles.
The separation of the two entangled particles is represented by the participants facing opposite ways.
The superposition aspect of quantum entanglement is produced when the two participants start painting.
The idea of laying the painting on top of each other was to look for ways to represent the superposition aspect of quantum entanglement.
Upon reviewing the experience, participants didn’t understand the idea of quantum entanglement. They felt their movements were restricted, and that this activity represented power dynamics more than quantum physics.
Experience Two - Shapes of Quantum
The new version had two participants that were connected by a string tied to their hands representing their entanglement. During this experience, I realized that the tension created by the string that tied both participants didn’t represent quantum entanglement. The third and fourth experiences represent this concept clearly.
Experience Three - Shapes of Quantum
This video showcases the spatial proximity of two quantum particles and how this interaction creates a relation between the properties of one particle and the properties of the other.
Additionally, the superposition aspect of the particle is showcased in the movement of the participants when painting. there is no tension and both movements are opposite to each other, occurring at the same time.
Experience Four - Shapes of Quantum
This video showcases a series of similar experiences. The experiences explored more movements and interactions to explain quantum entanglement theory.
In the video, we see a combination of reality and speculation. I present the idea of explaining quantum in a world defined by classic physics. A world that lost its quantumness because of its size but is still made of quantum.