Collapse of a wave function

[Deepak Kapur]

When does collapse of a wave function associated with an elementary particle happen?

 

a) When someone tries to measure the particle.

 

b) When someone actually measures it.

 

c) When someone just thinks about measuring the particle.

[derek w]

How are you going to measure a particle?

[Strange]

When the particle is "measured" (detected) or otherwise interacts with something.

[Deepak Kapur]

......or otherwise interacts with something.

 

If a particle interacts with something and nobody observes this interaction, would the wave function of the particle collapse?

[Strange]

 

If a particle interacts with something and nobody observes this interaction, would the wave function of the particle collapse?

 

As far as I know, yes. That is the definition of interact.

 

Don't get misled by that "quantum woo" about conscious observers.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Strange