In the realm of quantum mechanics, particles such as atoms do not possess well-defined positions like classical objects. Instead, their behavior is described by a wavefunction that represents a probability distribution of their possible locations. According to the principles of quantum mechanics, an atom can be found in a superposition of states, where it has a certain probability of being in different locations simultaneously.
However, it's important to note that the behavior of macroscopic objects, including a piece of metal containing atoms, is governed by the principles of classical physics rather than quantum mechanics in most circumstances. While individual atoms within the metal may exhibit quantum behavior, the macroscopic object as a whole follows classical laws.
In classical physics, macroscopic objects have definite positions and are typically localized within a specific region of space. The probability of finding an atom from a piece of metal in different places throughout the universe simultaneously would be extremely low according to classical physics.
It's worth mentioning that quantum entanglement can lead to non-local correlations between particles, where the properties of one particle can be instantaneously connected to the properties of another particle, regardless of their separation. However, this does not imply that an atom can "appear" in multiple places in the universe at the same time. Entanglement is a complex phenomenon that involves correlations between different particles but does not enable particles to exist in multiple places simultaneously.
In summary, while atoms in the quantum realm can exhibit non-local behavior and exist in superpositions of states, macroscopic objects in the classical world, including a piece of metal, are typically localized within specific regions and do not manifest in multiple places in the universe simultaneously.