Well the individual quantum states composing a superposition states are simply individual or discrete probabilities that show the possibility that a quantum particle can exist with a particular set of quantum numbers. Thus the super position state is the sum and distribution of all of the possible or probable discrete quantum states that a particle can assume which add up to equal 1(or to normalize). Therefore, collapsing the wavefunction merely refers to focusing on a single quantum state (within the superposition state) and its corresponding probability of being in that particular state or single set of quantum numbers. The quantum states are not literal objects that exist in reality, they are simply numeric possibilities (i.e. probabilites) of an observable quantity that a particle can assume.

Best,

Edward

@Edward Alexander Walker

My dear Edward Alexander Walker, do you mean quantum tunnelling is just a numeric possibility? Do you mean double slit experiment is also a numeric possibility?

I am not clear about your answer shall you explain in a detailed manner based on questions raised above?

@ s h s hussainsha

Dear Dr. Hussainsha,

Please forgive my lack of clarification. Wither it be in quantum tunneling or the double slit experiment, any time one makes a measurement to a given observable, one hewns in "so to speak" on a single quantum state and thus probability ( to which I referred to as a numeric possibility for simplicity). The measurement of an observable quantity is the measurement of a single quantum state and thus a collapse of the wave function. The reason for the acquisition of a probability or numeric possibility when conducting a measurement as opposed to obtaining a finite value is due to the impossibility of certainty in one's measurement due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Thus the more certain or precise a measurement to a given observable, the measurement of another observable quantity becomes increasingly uncertain. Specifically measurement in "position and momentum" and "energy and time". These measurements correspond to the particle's wave function of course. I hope that this response was helpful.

With kindest regards,

Edward

thank you for your answers

Dear s h s hussainsha

I have to increasingly agree, over the years, with the insight into quantum-mechanical reality of the great scientist John Wheeler. His delayed-choice thought experiment, involving a moving object that incorporates what he termed "choice to act like a particle or a wave" is very elucidative with respect to your interesting question. According to Wheeler's mental experiment, the following question then proceeds: at what point does the object decide?

According to our presently comon sense, the object has an intrinsic wave-like or particle-like nature, independent of how we measure it. The quantum physics in turn predicts that whether you observe wave-like behavior, ---using an interference measurement process ---, or particle-like behavior, --- which corresponds to non-interference process ---, depends only on how the measurement is performed at the end of the journey of the object.

The statement of Professor Andrew Truscott about this mental experiment is very interesting:

"It proves that measurement is everything. At the quantum level, reality does not exist if you are not looking at it."

This also applies to the quantum-mechanical states you are measuring and also to the remaining quantum states. According to the present view, they do not exist if you are not looking to them.

This remember me the discussion involving Bohr and Eisntein. Fascinating. Remember that? Einstein question addressed to Bohr: is the Moon there when we are not looking?

@Wulf Rehder

My dear Wulf Rehder, thank you for giving valuable answer ......