Subatomic particles behave in bizarre ways, observes Gautum Naik in the Wall Street Journal. Even when miles apart, they change their spin in tandem, and they spin in various ways, such as upward and downward. But most intriguingly, in some cases such particles behave differently when they are not being observed.

Physicists and philosophers are increasingly drawn to the study of these quantum atoms, photons and other particles. Some research them to solve real-life problems, such as encrypting sensitive data in the course of bank transfers.

Yet for others, quantum behavior reinforces the belief in what the physicist Bernard d’Espagnat calls “life’s spiritual dimension,” that is, the peculiarity of quantum behavior provides “faint glimpses of ultimate reality.” It’s all about mystery, he believes, like “the emotions you get from listening to Mozart.”