many-worlds interpretation
Quick Summary
The many-worlds interpretation, proposed by Hugh Everett III, is a concept within quantum mechanics that addresses the measurement problem. It suggests that when a measurement is made on a quantum system in a superposition of states, the universe branches into multiple non-interacting universes. In each of these universes, one of the possible outcomes of the measurement occurs. This interpretation aims to resolve the apparent randomness and discontinuous collapse of the wave function observed during measurement in other interpretations of quantum mechanics. While it offers a solution to some theoretical issues, it is not widely accepted among physicists due to its speculative nature.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- quantum mechanicsMeasurement in quantum mechanics
…may also mention the so-called many-worlds interpretation, proposed by Hugh Everett III in 1957, which suggests that, when a measurement is made for a system in which the wave function is a mixture of states, the universe branches into a number of noninteracting universes. Each of the possible outcomes of…
Read More…may also mention the so-called many-worlds interpretation, proposed by Hugh Everett III in 1957, which suggests that, when a measurement is made for a system in which the wave function is a mixture of states, the universe branches into a number of noninteracting universes. Each of the possible outcomes of…
Read More 
philosophy of physicsThe theory of Ghirardi, Rimini, and WeberAccording to the so-called “many worlds” hypothesis, the measurement of a particle that is in a superposition of being in region A and being in region B results in the instantaneous “branching” of the universe into two distinct, noninteracting universes, in one of which the particle is observed to…
Read MoreAccording to the so-called “many worlds” hypothesis, the measurement of a particle that is in a superposition of being in region A and being in region B results in the instantaneous “branching” of the universe into two distinct, noninteracting universes, in one of which the particle is observed to…
Read More