The two-spin enigma: from the helium atom to quantum ontology

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an informal introduction to quantum physics, like if we were following the path of a police investigation. The scenery involves the demise, or vanishing, of some valuable properties of the two electrons in the helium atom. We will start from experimentally based evidence in order to analyse and tentatively explain physical facts, moving cautiously from a classical to a quantum description. Statements such as 'a quantum superposition is like being in two states at the same time', 'quantum entanglement is like an instantaneous action at a distance', or 'facts are relative', will be prohibited as empty of explanatory content. As a spoiler, and maybe against current common wisdom, but not giving up physical realism, the conclusion of the enquiry will be that classical physics and quantum physics can neither function nor even be conceived one without the other - in line with ideas attributed to e.g. Niels Bohr or Lev Landau.