The phenomenon you're referring to is known as quantum superposition, and it is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. According to our current understanding of the subatomic world, particles can indeed exist in multiple states or locations simultaneously, until they are observed or measured. This behavior is not well explained by classical physics but has been experimentally confirmed through various experiments.
The famous example often used to illustrate superposition is the double-slit experiment. When particles, such as electrons or photons, are fired at a barrier with two slits, they can exhibit an interference pattern on the screen behind the barrier, as if they passed through both slits simultaneously and interfered with themselves. This suggests that the particles have properties of waves and particles simultaneously, existing in a superposition of states.
It's important to note that this behavior is not limited to subatomic particles alone. Large molecules and even macroscopic objects, under specific conditions, can also exhibit quantum behavior and exist in superposition. However, the delicate nature of these quantum states makes it challenging to maintain them for larger systems.
Quantum superposition is a well-established and extensively studied phenomenon in physics. While it may seem counterintuitive or strange from our everyday experience, it is not mysticism but a result of the unique rules that govern the quantum realm. Quantum mechanics provides a mathematical framework that accurately describes and predicts the behavior of particles on the subatomic scale, and its predictions have been confirmed by numerous experiments.