Schrodingers Cat(che) Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Erwin Schrödinger (1887 - 1961) was an Austrian physicist.
Quantum theory states that a particle can simultaneously exist in two or more states until it is observed, at which point it "collapses"into one state. Although a single particle can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a collection of particles can't all be in the same superposition of states. Therefore, the various multiple
states of the individual atoms average out into what we see as a single state. The point of this gross oversimplification is that of observation - the act of observing something introduces an irreversible change into a system, thus affecting the outcome. The strangest aspect of quantum mechanics is the way in which observation makes concrete one of many statistical possibilities.
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The Thought Experiment: A cat is placed in a box. Alongside the cat is a single particle of a radioactive isotope and a Geiger counter linked via a complex device to a hammer over a vial of cyanide gas.
The isotope has a 50/50 chance of decaying during the course of one hour. If it does, the Geiger counter will go off, the hammer will smash the glass, and the cyanide gas will kill the cat. The cat is put in the box for one hour, after which the box is opened. Since the quantum superposition of the isotope says that it is both decayed and not decayed until we look at it, and the box prevents us from knowing whether the isotope has decayed until we open it, it’s impossible to know the fate of the cat. So until the box is opened you don’t know whether you will be looking at a bemused Fluffy or starting an awkward conversation with the wife.
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The above coordinates are for Stage 1. Here you will find two different sets of coordinates. You now have a 50/50 chance to find the cache location. In its quantum state the cache is simultaneously at both locations and at neither. Only by finding and opening the box will the cache’s location be determined.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Unyg
Treasures
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