Quantum physics gets a bad rap. The behaviour of the atoms and particles it describes is often said to be weird, and that weirdness has given rise to all manner of esoteric notions – that we live in a multiverse, say, or that the reality we see isn’t real at all. As a result, we often overlook the fact that quantum physics has had a real effect on our lives: every time you glance at your smartphone, for instance, you are benefiting from quantum phenomena.
But the story of what quantum theory is good for doesn’t end there. As our mastery…
Article amended on 17 April 2025
We clarified how many bits would be required to store any number between 0 and 1023.
