Toestandskansen

Toestandskansen, which translates to "state probabilities" in English, is a fundamental concept in probability theory and quantum mechanics. In a general probabilistic context, toestandskansen refers to the likelihood of a system being in a particular state at a given time. These probabilities are typically non-negative and sum up to one over all possible states of the system. For instance, in a simple coin toss, the states are heads and tails, and the toestandskansen for each state would be 0.5.

In quantum mechanics, the concept takes on a more nuanced meaning. Here, toestandskansen are associated with the measurement of a quantum observable. Before a measurement, a quantum system can exist in a superposition of multiple states, each with a certain probability amplitude. Upon measurement, the superposition collapses, and the system is found in one specific state. The toestandskansen for each possible outcome of the measurement is determined by the square of the magnitude of the corresponding probability amplitude. This probabilistic nature of quantum measurement is a cornerstone of quantum theory, distinguishing it from classical physics. The evolution of these toestandskansen over time is governed by the Schrödinger equation.