How does the Wave function collapse in the double Slit Exp? (theory, universe)

[Swan Dive]

How does the wave function collapse with the double slit experiment?

First they thought it was consciousness. I have heard that it is not consciousness but observation or detection like machine can do this too.

But isn't consciousness observing the machine and thusly influencing the result? Isn't consciousness apart of the system then?

If the wave function does not need consciousness,... then what does mean about reality then? it just needs to be detected by something to infact exist?
I have been looking at this googling for days and can't figure out who's correct on the subject of QM and wave function collapse. So I need some help and understanding.

Can some explain this to me ?and what it means about reality? is it something philosophical?
Why is consciousness not involved and how does that differ with a machine observation?
I read up on QM and find I get even more confused and understand it less.

[ncole1]

Originally Posted by Swan Dive

How does the wave function collapse with the double slit experiment?

First they thought it was consciousness. I have heard that it is not consciousness but observation or detection like machine can do this too.

But isn't consciousness observing the machine and thusly influencing the result? Isn't consciousness apart of the system then?

If the wave function does not need consciousness,... then what does mean about reality then? it just needs to be detected by something to infact exist?
I have been looking at this googling for days and can't figure out who's correct on the subject of QM and wave function collapse. So I need some help and understanding.

Can some explain this to me ?and what it means about reality? is it something philosophical?
Why is consciousness not involved and how does that differ with a machine observation?
I read up on QM and find I get even more confused and understand it less.

There are differing interpretations of quantum theory and exactly what it has to say on the matter.

What is clear is that once "which slit it went through" has been observed or measured or recorded, the interference pattern disappears. Obviously the interaction between the particle and measuring/recording device caused this to happen.

To tell you in detail you would need to be familiar with linear algebra and then start learning quantum theory.

[Swan Dive]

Originally Posted by ncole1

There are differing interpretations of quantum theory and exactly what it has to say on the matter.

What is clear is that once "which slit it went through" has been observed or measured or recorded, the interference pattern disappears. Obviously the interaction between the particle and measuring/recording device caused this to happen.

To tell you in detail you would need to be familiar with linear algebra and then start learning quantum theory.

Well can you summarize in short?

[ncole1]

Originally Posted by Swan Dive

Well can you summarize in short?

There is disagreement on the details, however, when you observe the particle, you alter it. Wavefunction collapse results from that.

[frasierfan123]

The wave function collapses because when an observer is watching the particle. The particle must choose one of the two. It can either look like a point. Or a wave function. It always chooses the point when looked at. When the particle is not being observed, its both a point and a wave function. If that's the case, then everything in this universe acts in the same manner.