Quantum Computing: Crafting a Bigger Future through Subatomic Particles

An Introduction to Quantum Computing and Its Uses

Classical computers are extremely powerful tools that help us solve complex problems every day, but there are several areas where even they fall short.

Simulating the molecular structure of a compound? Nope. Calculating 500-digit numbers? Nah, it’ll crash. And God forbid you tell it to give you the best way to arrange your furniture, you’ll probably have to consult another human for that (ew).

Classical computers can’t do these things, but there’s a new type of supercomputer which can. They’re called quantum computers, and they open a gate to grandiose possibilities for scientific research, and with that, the human race.

IBM’s quantum computer: as graceful as a chandelier, but more powerful than a room of supercomputers. Its inverted pyramid structure allows it to choose outcomes with the least amount of energy through quantum annealing.

So What is a Quantum Computer?

What makes quantum computers so special is their use of subatomic particles and atoms as transistors (the yes/no switches for incoming info), which are called qubits (they have 0 & 1 values like normal computer bits). This allows the machine to operate using quantum mechanics, and with that, optimize its computational power. Most importantly, with a quantum principle called superposition.

• Superposition: allows particles to be in multiple states at…