Part 3/9:
To understand what makes the IBM Quantum One distinct, it is vital to grasp the core principles of quantum computing. Traditional classical computers operate using binary bits, represented by ones and zeros. Their processing power is typically determined by the number of transistors that can switch between on and off states. For instance, the well-regarded Ryzen 9 5950X CPU boasts about 10 billion transistors.
In contrast, quantum computers utilize quantum bits, or qubits. The critical difference is that qubits can represent both one and zero simultaneously, a phenomenon known as quantum superposition. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, qubits can exist in multiple states at once, vastly increasing the amount of information that can be processed concurrently.