3

Set 4: Central Ideas (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

The following text describes Schrödinger's Cat and Quantum Superposition. Erwin Schrödinger devised his famous thought experiment to illustrate the apparent absurdity of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics when applied to everyday objects. A hypothetical cat is placed in a sealed box with a mechanism that has a 50% chance of killing it. According to quantum superposition, until the box is opened and observed, the cat is simultaneously both alive and dead. Schrödinger intended this not as a description of reality, but as a reductio ad absurdum.

What was Schrödinger's primary intention with the 'cat' thought experiment?

A. To prove that cats have nine lives✓ Correct
B. To highlight the absurdity of applying quantum mechanics to macroscopic objects
C. To demonstrate how to build a quantum computer
D. To support the Copenhagen interpretation explicitly

Detailed Explanation

Choice B is correct. The text states he devised it to 'illustrate the apparent absurdity... when applied to everyday objects' and intended it as a 'reductio ad absurdum.'

Key Evidence:

• "illustrate the apparent absurdity"

• "reductio ad absurdum"

Why others are wrong: A (Inaccurate), C (Inaccurate), D (Opposite (He was critiquing it)).

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