How Quantum Computers Work
We know that a normal computer, at the very basic level, functions off of transistors and their communication of either 1, or 0. As you start expanding from this component all the way to the whole machine itself these communications build off of one another to accomplish different functions.
Quantum computers on the other hand use the quantum state of an object to create qubits. These qubits are in such a state that it is hard to define its properties exactly. This is what's known as superposition. By detecting the spin or direction of the qubit, one can define it as a 0 or a 1. But until this happens it is both of these states at the same time. This allows the qubit to process data at an exponentially faster rate than normal computers.
Applications of Quantum Computers
Because the qubits, being in a quantum state, have the ability to be entangled with another particle, scientists are able to determine that any pair of particles are mathematically related; even if one doesn't even know what they are. These relationship, along with their ability to process data faster, gives machines running on quantum computers to formulate complex algorithms.
Such algorithms would be useful in solving complex mathematical problems, producing complex security codes (and breaking them too), predicting interactions in chemical reactions, and model complex biological processes.
Quantum Supremacy: What Does It Mean?
With the recent claim that Google's supercomputer, Sycamore, could achieve quantum supremacy, many have raised the question: what does that mean?
Up until recently, classical computers (supercomputers none the less), could preform tasks well that were also given to a supercomputer. In this sense, the supercomputer was just different, not necessarily better or worse. For quantum supremacy to occur, the supercomputer would have to be able to achieve tasks that could not be completed by a classical computer.
So, in the most basic terms, Sycamore was simply able to solve a problem that a normal computer could not (or at least not in a reasonable period of time).
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