Understanding Schrödingers cats, Parts 1 & 2, Space-like Space-time Numbers and The Wave Function
Channel: Doug Sweetser
Date: 2021-05-23

In 2011, Henry Reich posted a great video on the Schrödinger's cat experiment, available here, https://bit.ly/schrödingers_cat_video. This is my effort to explain the thought experiment. Space-time numbers (aka quaternions) are used instead of complex numbers because space-time numbers live at obvious places in a space-time diagram. Einstein gets to use a light cone which is needed to understand causality. The events that are in the wave function are space-like separated from the observer (Einstein in this case).

In Part 1, space-time numbers are introduced as a way to explain the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment. At the start of the experiment where each individual cat is alive or dead, a signal is sent from the bunker to Einstein who is the observer. Einstein knows when he will receive the signal. Until then, the best he can describe the results of the experiment is with the wave function.

In Part 2, the wave function is drawn at different moments in space-time: the start, then each half step afterward as Einstein eventually learns the fate of each of the three cats. The video was tried a few times. As a random process was used, one time all the cats lived, another they all died. You will have to watch to see what got uploaded here.

Minute Physic's 2011 post:
http://bit.ly/schrödingers_cat_video

My effort to explain:
http://bit.ly/schrödingers_cat_part_1
http://bit.ly/schrödingers_cat_part_2
http://bit.ly/schrödingers_cat_part_12. (just 1+2)