VIDEO: Internet Freaking Out Over Justin Trudeau's Quantum Computing Explanation

WATERLOO, Ontario (CBSNewYork/AP)-- A video of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau showing off his geek side by nailing a reporter's question about quantum computing is going viral.

A journalist calls Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's bluff and asks him to explain quantum computing. To everyone's surprise, he does so with ease. Read more: www.cbc.ca/1.3537098

Posted by CBC Politics on Friday, April 15, 2016

Making a funding announcement Friday at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario, Trudeau dared reporters to ask him about how quantum computing works.

One reporter took the bait and Trudeau responded with a mini-lesson. The former teacher explained that a regular computer is a binary system, with a bit being "either a one or a zero, on or off,'' whereas a quantum state can be much more complex. He continued, "things can be both particle and waves'' and the uncertainty around quantum states allows more information to be encoded into a much smaller computer.

And that, he added to laughter and applause, is "what's exciting about quantum computing.''

The video has been viewed over 6 million times on Facebook and has more than 70,000 likes.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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