Quantum supremacy/advantage refers to:

Explanation

Quantum supremacy, also called quantum advantage in many exam contexts, does not mean that quantum computers are generally better at all computing. It refers to a specific demonstration: a quantum computer carrying out a task that a traditional or classical computer cannot do practically, or cannot do in reasonable time. The supplied example is Google's 2019 Sycamore claim using 53 qubits. The key idea is that quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in a superposition of 0 and 1, allowing certain computations to be approached differently from classical bit-based machines. The milestone is therefore problem-specific, not a declaration that quantum computers have replaced classical computers.

Why the other options are wrong

• (B) Using quantum computers for everyday tasks describes adoption or utility, not the technical milestone of outperforming classical computers on a specific computation.
• (C) Quantum supremacy does not imply that quantum computers replace all classical computers; it is limited to demonstrating an advantage on a particular task.
• (D) The term compares computational performance on a defined problem, not the philosophical or scientific superiority of quantum physics over classical physics.

Concept

This tests the Science and Technology syllabus theme of emerging computing technologies. It recurs in RAS because quantum computing is often framed through precise terms such as qubits, superposition and quantum advantage.

Source

• National Institute of Standards and Technology

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