<human>:  I want to understand the principles of quantum mechanics. Can you provide a basic overview?
<bot>: Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles. The basic principles of quantum mechanics can be expressed in terms of wave-particle duality; Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle; and the idea that the behavior of particles is probabilistic, due to their interactions with other particles. Wave-particle duality states that particles can display characteristics of both waves and particles, depending on the type of experiment being conducted. Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle states that it is impossible to know, simultaneously, both the exact location and momentum of a particle. Finally, particles interact probabilistically, meaning that their behavior follows a set of rules governed by probability, rather than cause and effect. Together, these principles form the basis of quantum mechanics.