Quantum computing is normally a very, very complex subject. It is about using super powerful computers that preform calculations, based on the probability of an objects state BEFORE it is measured/quantified, instead of the traditional 1’s and 0’s used in binary. allowing these very specialized machines to solve significantly more complex problems with relative ease compared to the binary computers most use today.
Most normal computers used today carry out logical operations based on the definite position of a physical state, usually binary, these single states can be up, down, left, right, 1, 0. These states are known as “bits”
Now in quantum computing, these computers use an undefined quantum state, this is known as a “qubit”. These states are undefined properties of a specific object before they have been detected. For example: the spin of an electron or the polarization of a photon.
Rather than having a determined position, these unmeasured states have an unclear, “superposition.” Similar to a coin spinning in the air before it lands on a side.
In order for these quantum computers to properly work, a superposition must be held long enough for the calculations to be executed, unfortunately if a superposition collides with an already determined state, this qubit becomes a regular old bit again. This is known as a decoherence.
These “superpositions” are entangled with those of other objects, leaving the result to cause these to be mathematically related even if we have no idea what they are yet.
These complex “spinning coins” can be applied to very specialized algorithms that most binary computers would take ages to solve, even if a binary computer could solve such a complex problem.
Such algorithms are helpful in various tasks involving complex equations, such as cracking hard to depict codes, or determining factors in chemical equations such as particle interactions.
Quantum computing is a much more technical and complex subject, this small essay I wrote is a small sliver of basic information on how quantum computing works.
