Quantum Computing: A Primer

An animated explanation of superposition, entanglement, and the bizarre properites of computing's next great jump forward

By Lev Grossman, Time, 02/17/14

Quantum computing may well represent the biggest breakthrough in computer technology since the invention of the microprocessor. Taking advantage of bizarre effects like quantum superposition and quantum entanglement, quantum computers have the potential to unlock massive amounts of processing power, and to solve problems that would take conventional computers literally centuries. You could spend centuries trying to master the intricacies of quantum physics … or you could watch this video, which explains it all in about two minutes.

Still want more? Get comfortable for a deep dive into the consequences of a world where quantum computing can crack the hardest encryptions in seconds and what happens when such power falls into the wrong hands.

Read more: Quantum Computing: A Primer | TIME.com http://science.time.com/2014/02/07/quantum-computing-a-primer/#ixzz2tKT2Hmzh