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Here's how to do the "three polarizing filter" experiment. You can do it at home if you have three pairs of polarized sunglasses.

1. Take two of the lenses, hold them an inch apart, and shine a light so that it goes through both. The amount of light that goes through depends on their relative angle; at the right angle (90 degrees difference), no light will pass through. Hold them like this, so that no light gets through.

2. Insert a third polarizing filter between the two at a 45 degree angle. Amazingly, some light will now get through. You added an obstacle, and more light passes through.

Thank you for an interesting experiment to try. I’m looking forward to doing it myself.

I want to ask, though. Is it correct to call the third filter an obstacle? In the quantum realm, it’s not really an obstacle, is it?

Is it correct to call the third filter an obstacle? In the quantum realm, it’s not really an obstacle, is it?

Evidently not!

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