Chapter 29. Quantum Computing Bushong: Radiologic Science for
Technologists
1 What proves the progress that quantum computing is making?
A (Correct): D-Wave Systems announced the general availability of the latest generation of
their D-Wave 2X quantum computer.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! The release of a commercially available D-Wave 2X machine
demonstrates practical progress.
B (Incorrect): IBM stopped investing in supercomputers in favor of classical processors.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. IBM is still active in both supercomputing and quantum computing, but
this does not show concrete progress.
C (Incorrect): Google announced it would delay its quantum research indefinitely.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. A delay signals hesitation, not progress.
2 How many generations of processors have there been in 16 years?
A (Correct): 25
Feedback: ✅ Correct! Intel has released about 25 processor generations in that time span.
B (Incorrect): 10
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. The number of generations is much higher.
C (Incorrect): 40
,Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. That overshoots the actual number.
3 What are quantum computers especially good for?
A (Correct): Solving complex problems that feature many independent variables, like Monte
Carlo simulations, drug development, materials research, and cryptography.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! Quantum computers excel at problems involving vast numbers of
possibilities.
B (Incorrect): Running everyday office software faster than traditional computers.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Classical computers still outperform quantum ones in routine tasks.
C (Incorrect): Performing basic arithmetic calculations more quickly.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Quantum computing is not advantageous for simple arithmetic.
4 In what way is D-Wave's technology better than traditional programs?
A (Correct): Their computer solves problems faster than traditional programs.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! D-Wave focuses on optimization problems where speed is key.
B (Incorrect): Their computer consumes less electricity than a laptop.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Quantum machines actually require significant cooling power.
C (Incorrect): Their programs can run without electricity.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Quantum computers still rely heavily on electrical power.
5 What is the central element of quantum computing?
, A (Correct): The qubit, or quantum bit.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! The qubit is the fundamental unit that enables quantum computation.
B (Incorrect): The byte.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Bytes are classical computing units, not quantum ones.
C (Incorrect): The transistor.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Transistors belong to classical computing hardware.
6 Which are the three basic principles of physics which support processing with qubits?
A (Correct): Superposition, quantum tunneling, and quantum entanglement.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! These three principles allow qubits to function in powerful ways.
B (Incorrect): Magnetism, electricity, and thermal expansion.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. These are not the principles quantum computing relies on.
C (Incorrect): Friction, inertia, and momentum.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. These are classical physics concepts, not quantum ones.
7 Why do quantum principles seem so alien to us?
A (Correct): Because matter never behaves according to these principles at the temperatures
we're familiar with. Instead, quantum computing must take place near absolute zero
temperatures.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! Quantum effects only show up in extreme conditions.
Technologists
1 What proves the progress that quantum computing is making?
A (Correct): D-Wave Systems announced the general availability of the latest generation of
their D-Wave 2X quantum computer.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! The release of a commercially available D-Wave 2X machine
demonstrates practical progress.
B (Incorrect): IBM stopped investing in supercomputers in favor of classical processors.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. IBM is still active in both supercomputing and quantum computing, but
this does not show concrete progress.
C (Incorrect): Google announced it would delay its quantum research indefinitely.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. A delay signals hesitation, not progress.
2 How many generations of processors have there been in 16 years?
A (Correct): 25
Feedback: ✅ Correct! Intel has released about 25 processor generations in that time span.
B (Incorrect): 10
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. The number of generations is much higher.
C (Incorrect): 40
,Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. That overshoots the actual number.
3 What are quantum computers especially good for?
A (Correct): Solving complex problems that feature many independent variables, like Monte
Carlo simulations, drug development, materials research, and cryptography.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! Quantum computers excel at problems involving vast numbers of
possibilities.
B (Incorrect): Running everyday office software faster than traditional computers.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Classical computers still outperform quantum ones in routine tasks.
C (Incorrect): Performing basic arithmetic calculations more quickly.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Quantum computing is not advantageous for simple arithmetic.
4 In what way is D-Wave's technology better than traditional programs?
A (Correct): Their computer solves problems faster than traditional programs.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! D-Wave focuses on optimization problems where speed is key.
B (Incorrect): Their computer consumes less electricity than a laptop.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Quantum machines actually require significant cooling power.
C (Incorrect): Their programs can run without electricity.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Quantum computers still rely heavily on electrical power.
5 What is the central element of quantum computing?
, A (Correct): The qubit, or quantum bit.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! The qubit is the fundamental unit that enables quantum computation.
B (Incorrect): The byte.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Bytes are classical computing units, not quantum ones.
C (Incorrect): The transistor.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. Transistors belong to classical computing hardware.
6 Which are the three basic principles of physics which support processing with qubits?
A (Correct): Superposition, quantum tunneling, and quantum entanglement.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! These three principles allow qubits to function in powerful ways.
B (Incorrect): Magnetism, electricity, and thermal expansion.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. These are not the principles quantum computing relies on.
C (Incorrect): Friction, inertia, and momentum.
Feedback: ❌ Incorrect. These are classical physics concepts, not quantum ones.
7 Why do quantum principles seem so alien to us?
A (Correct): Because matter never behaves according to these principles at the temperatures
we're familiar with. Instead, quantum computing must take place near absolute zero
temperatures.
Feedback: ✅ Correct! Quantum effects only show up in extreme conditions.
