Using quantum computers to simulate molecules

So whenever you're reading about the potential applications of QC, it is often mentioned that one such application is the ability to greatly aid physics, material science, and pharma research by increasing our abilities to accurately simulate the various particles and their interactions. The promise always goes along the lines of "Quantum computers will be able to actually be the molecules, thus greatly reduce the computational complexity involved in simulating their interactions". I'd just taken this claim at face value as just another amazing thing QC will be capable of, but recently I began thinking about it properly - and it quite frankly sounds like bullshit. Can anyone please explain to me whether this is indeed a potential application of quantum computing, and if so, what grants quantum computing to do this? Does it really overcome classical methods? This is more than a passing interest to me, because I am considering pursuing a Master's in computational physics, and being able to combine that with quantum computing sounds like a dream come true. Thank you for your time :) submitted by /u/MeoWHamsteR7 [link] [comments]