What exactly is quantum entanglement?

[gib65]

I've heard of it, but I've never really been sure what it is. As far as I know, it is the fact that when two particles interact they are forever effected by each other no matter how separated by space they become. So, if you did something to one particle, the other particle would be effected even it was half way across the galaxy. Am I on the right track?

[ydoaPs]

a nice feature of this site is the search function.

[5614]

Hopefully this search:

http://www.scienceforums.net/forums/search.php?searchid=183574

should show you the kinda threads you are looking for.

 

It's basically a QM phenomenon whereby two atoms or photons are related in a specific way. So, for example, you'd have two atoms, after they have been through the entanglement process one would be spin up, the other spin down. (with photons it's to do with polarisation).

 

Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entanglement Is a good site on it.

 

Remember it does NOT allow for faster than light (FTL) transfer of data.

 

It can be used for things like quantum teleportation and quantum computers.