A Qubit is the quantum computer equivalent of a traditional computer bit. While a bit holds the value 0 or 1, a qubit can hold both values at once (be in “superposition”), and when observed, “collapse” into a 0 or 1 when read. This unusual property is what makes quantum computing so powerful, and in future issues we’ll touch on why. Linguistically it’s also pretty interesting, as it’s a portmanteau of Quantum and Bit, which in turn, bit is a portmanteau of Binary Digit - meta!