Example Concept: Decoherence is the process by which a quantum system loses its quantum properties as it interacts with its environment, causing the system to transition from a coherent superposition of states to a classical probabilistic mixture. This transition is detrimental to quantum algorithms, as it reduces the ability to maintain entanglement and superposition, which are crucial for quantum computation. Effective error correction and noise mitigation strategies are essential to counteract decoherence and extend the usable coherence time of qubits.