The Unlikely Buddha

The randomness in quantum mechanics is a fundamental feature of the theory as we currently understand it. Here's a precise explanation that incorporates radioactive decay as an example: 1. *Wavefunction and Probabilistic Nature Quantum mechanics is inherently probabilistic. The wavefunction,  \psi , encodes the probabilities of possible outcomes of measurements via the Born rule:  P = |\psi|^2   While the evolution of the wavefunction itself is deterministic (governed by the Schrödinger equation), the outcomes of measurements are probabilistic. 2. *Collapse and Randomness Randomness enters during measurement, where the wavefunction collapses to a specific eigenstate. This collapse is not described by the deterministic Schrödinger equation but is postulated as an additional rule in standard (Copenhagen) quantum mechanics. The exact mechanism behind this collapse—and whether it reflects true randomness or something deeper—is unresolved. 3. Be...