What are locality and nonlocality?

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In summary, locality refers to the belief that things must directly interact to cause a change, while non-locality suggests that things can affect each other without direct interaction. This concept was not widely accepted until the 1900s, and is seen in phenomena such as quantum entanglement.
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new_986
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Locality and non locality?

Hi...
What means locality and nonlocality ??
 
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Locality is the idea in physics that things have to directly interact with other things in order to change them, e.g. a billiard ball striking another billiard ball. Until the 1900's, locality was the only line of thought. Even the "forces at a distance" like gravity adhere to locality because a gravitron, or gravity wave, or however you'd like to think of it, leaves mass A (a local interaction) and hits mass B (a local interaction) causing it to accelerate.

Non-locality is the idea that things don't have to directly interact in order to affect each other. For example, if a photon becomes "entangled" with another, interacting with that photon will cause a change in the other, instantly, no matter where in the universe it is. For more information, google "quantum entanglement".
 
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Thank you very much
 

FAQ: What are locality and nonlocality?

What is locality and non locality?

Locality and non locality refer to the concept of how particles or objects interact with each other. In a local system, objects can only interact with each other if they are in close proximity, whereas in a non local system, objects can interact with each other regardless of distance.

How do locality and non locality relate to quantum mechanics?

In quantum mechanics, particles can exhibit non local behavior, meaning they can interact with each other instantaneously regardless of distance. This phenomenon is known as quantum entanglement and is a key aspect of non locality.

Can locality and non locality coexist?

Yes, locality and non locality can coexist in the same system. This is known as a hybrid system and can be seen in various areas of physics, such as in the study of condensed matter systems.

What are some real world applications of non locality?

Non locality has been studied and utilized in various fields, such as quantum computing, cryptography, and teleportation. It also has potential applications in long-distance communication and faster data transfer.

What are the implications of non locality for our understanding of the universe?

The existence of non locality challenges our traditional understanding of cause and effect, as particles can seemingly influence each other instantaneously regardless of distance. It also raises questions about the nature of reality and the limitations of our current scientific theories.

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