A quantum qubit, in its superposition state, can represent a combination of both 1 and 0 simultaneously. This is one of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Unlike classical bits, which can only be in either the state of 0 or 1, a qubit can exist in a coherent superposition of both states.
In quantum mechanics, the state of a qubit is represented as a mathematical combination of the basis states, usually denoted as |0⟩ and |1⟩. A qubit can exist in a superposition state, where it is in a linear combination of both basis states. Mathematically, this superposition is represented as α|0⟩ + β|1⟩, where α and β are complex numbers that determine the probability amplitudes associated with each basis state.
The coefficients α and β can have different magnitudes and phases, meaning that a qubit can be in any combination of |0⟩ and |1⟩. Therefore, a qubit can contain all states between 0 and 1, representing an infinite number of possible states. However, when measured, the qubit will collapse into one of the basis states with a probability determined by the magnitudes of α and β.