The use of the term "observe" in quantum mechanics is deliberate and specific, as it carries a technical meaning that goes beyond the casual use of words like "watch" or "see." In the context of quantum mechanics, "observation" refers to the interaction or measurement of a quantum system with an external apparatus, which can cause the collapse of the wavefunction.
The choice of terminology is related to the nature of quantum measurement and the role of consciousness in the process. In quantum mechanics, a measurement is not simply a passive act of "watching" or "seeing" but rather an active interaction that alters the state of the system being measured. This interaction can disrupt the superposition of states and collapse the wavefunction into a specific outcome.
The Copenhagen interpretation, one of the widely accepted interpretations of quantum mechanics, emphasizes the role of the observer or measurement apparatus in the collapse of the wavefunction. According to this interpretation, the act of observation causes the wavefunction to "choose" a particular state, and the observer plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of the measurement.
However, it's important to note that the term "observation" doesn't necessarily require a conscious observer or human involvement. In quantum mechanics, any interaction between a quantum system and its environment, whether it's a detector, a particle, or a measuring device, can lead to wavefunction collapse.
The use of the word "observe" instead of "watch" or "see" helps to emphasize the active and transformative nature of quantum measurement, where the act of measurement itself influences the observed outcome. It highlights the distinction between the macroscopic classical world, where our everyday experience of "seeing" or "watching" objects seems straightforward, and the microscopic quantum realm, where the measurement process introduces inherent uncertainty and can change the state of the system being observed.