From the course: Introduction to Quantum Computing
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A simple explanation of classical computing
From the course: Introduction to Quantum Computing
A simple explanation of classical computing
- Quantum computing is a new way of processing information. It's quite different when compared with how computers work today. To really grasp the nature of quantum, it's valuable to understand just how significant the difference is. To achieve this, let's look at how today's computing, something we call classical or binary computing, works at a very basic level. At the heart of today's computing is the essential role of electricity. Electricity is energy and is powered by electrons. Tiny particles that orbit around atoms. Electrons can remain tied to a particular atom, which we call static electricity, or they can be made to move from atom to atom which is called current electricity. Electrons need material called conductors to move. Materials that stop electrons flowing are called insulators. An ability to both conduct and be an insulator under certain conditions is a property called semi-conducting. Silicone, for example, is a semi conductor. Let's look at a familiar example of…
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