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- A quantum computer uses quantum physics
to do calculations.
The reason this is so amazing, is that
it allows exponentially
faster calculation,
compared to the digital
computer in front of you.
To see how this is, recall
that normal digital computers
uses bits, ones and zeros.
In contrast, quantum computers
use Qubits, or quantum bits.
Quantum bits can exist
as both a one and a zero.
And so they can do two
calculations at once.
This may not seem very
impressive, but each Qubit
has a multiplicative effect.
Ten Qubits can do a thousand
calculations at once,
and 30 Qubits can do a
billion calculations at once.
This still doesn't mean that you just
install your favorite app
on a quantum computer,
and you're ready to go.
The code required for quantum
computers is so different,
that it needs specialized
quantum algorithms to operate.
And right now, there aren't many of these.
The quantum algorithms
are usually developed
by physicists and mathematicians,
and so take advantage
of the unique properties
of quantum physics.
A quantum computer also
relies on probability,
so the answers it produces
may not always be correct.
This might seem odd.
How can a computer give
an incorrect answer?
It's because in the
world of quantum physics,
things are always a bit
fuzzy, and the answer
may occasionally be wrong.
This is why most
applications will be hybrid
quantum-digital, to combine
the speed of quantum
with the certainty of digital.
An example might be modeling
the chemical process
for fertilizer.
The digital computer can
set up the basic model,
and the quantum computer can determine
the right energy levels.
Since fertilizer is about 2%
of the world's energy supply,
this could have enormous consequences
for food production, and energy costs.
So, if you're homework involves some of
the most promising
applications, cryptography,
molecular modeling,
financial predictions, yes,
you will be doing your
homework on a quantum computer.
