Lesson 3 · 9 min
Bit vs Qubit
One does one thing at a time. The other holds every option.
Now you have met both. A switch is steady and sure. A coin is spinning and full of maybes. They are good at completely different jobs.
- A switch is one answer at a time. A coin holds every answer until you catch it.
- Switches do not mind noise. Coins are shy — a bump makes them fall over.
- Your laptop is made of switches. A quantum computer is made of coins.
- Neither is better. You would not use a hammer to paint a wall.
Try it
Which team does each card belong to? Tap a card, then tap a team.
💡 Switch team
- Nothing here yet.
🪙 Coin team
- Nothing here yet.
Can only be 0 or 1
Can be both at once
AND / OR / NOT gates
Hadamard / CNOT gates
Your laptop
IBM Quantum computer
Breaks easily from noise
Does not mind noise
Quick check
0/31. Which one can hold many possibilities at the same time?
2. Which is more upset by noise and bumps?
3. How many basis states does a 3-qubit register span?