What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing is an advanced type of computation that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve problems that are too complex for even the most powerful classical supercomputers.

A classical computer uses "bits" as its basic unit of information, which can be either a 0 (off) or a 1 (on). Quantum computing, however, uses "qubits" (quantum bits).

Unlike a classical bit, a qubit doesn't have to be just a 0 or a 1. It can exist in both states at the same time, a property called superposition. Furthermore, the state of one qubit can be instantly linked to the state of another, no matter the distance, in a phenomenon known as entanglement.

By leveraging superposition and entanglement, a quantum computer can perform a massive number of calculations simultaneously. For example, a few hundred entangled qubits could represent more states than there are atoms in the known universe. This parallel processing power is what will allow it to tackle specific, highly complex problems in areas like molecular simulation, optimization, and materials science that are currently impossible to solve.