After all, is there a quantum cure?

*This text was written by a columnist. TecMundo; finally learn more.

The answer to this question can be a simple “no”. At least not scientifically proven. But here we can elaborate a little more on what’s behind all this.

It went so playfully viral on Twitter last week that posts from people talking about the so-called Atlantis quantum technique would actually make people remember that humans are from another planet and we’re on this planet. Earth is Earth for some other reason that is outside the point.

Good day from Atlantis, only quanta respond

— Whindersson (@whindersson) July 4, 2022

Only an Atlantis quantum therapy could give me the strength to face this Tuesday.

– eubituary (@dasilvaqueiro) July 5, 2022

I refuse to film these Atlanteans. I did this with ratanaba and it was painful, it’s up to us to find out what this smokescreen is trying to cover up??

– Main Bonassa ?? ???‍??? (@cienciaAna) July 5, 2022

It may seem funny if you even understand the term Quantum, or at least what Quantum Mechanics is. But for many people this may be just one example of many other dangerous situations where this scientific term is used to sell an idea, course or something that has no scientific proof.

this quantum mechanicsIn fact, it is the field of Physics whose purpose is to study subatomic particles. This division in the study of physics is necessary because such particles have properties and behaviors that are very different from the macroscopic things we can see and feel and are accustomed to in our daily life.

Despite this difference in properties, physics can explain and predict with great precision how these particles behave. And the effects of this microscopic behavior can be felt in many situations in our world.

For example, you are most likely reading this text on a screen that uses a technology called LED, whose literal translation from English is “light-emitting diode.” Simply put, diodes are crystalline materials that electrons can pass through in a circuit like your cell phone or computer. Quantum Mechanics explains how these particles emit different colored light (seen on your screen) depending on the composition of these materials.

We can talk about barbecue as well as LED screens. That’s right, when we cook a barbecue, the red glow of charcoal embers is an example of a quantum phenomenon visible to the naked eye. One of the reasons Quantum Mechanics was invented is even to explain the glow of coal or an incandescent light bulb and other red-hot things. The great revolution in physical thought came in 1900 with the German Max Planck, who coined the term “quantization” of energy, as the energy emitted by such bodies exists in well-defined quantities.

Now, the reason why this term is used in contexts that have nothing to do with subatomic particles is worth further study. But we can do a mental exercise and figure it out despite having been hit by many attacks lately. Science and “scientifically proven” stuff brings an air of credibility to a large part of the population.

Therefore, using a scientific term as proof of credibility may be interesting for people unfamiliar with those terms and those who want to take advantage of what they really mean. It is up to us as a society to be vigilant and knowledgeable not to let the credibility of science still being used to benefit malicious people.

Rodolfo Lima Barros Souzaphysics professor and columnist TecMundo. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics and Science and Mathematics Teaching from Unicamp in Public Perception of Science. Available on social networks as @rodolfo.sou