Final answer:
The collapse of the wave function in quantum mechanics is caused by the interaction between quantum systems and measurement devices. This interaction involves the transfer of information and is influenced by the probabilistic nature of quantum behavior and the uncertainty principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collapse of the wave function in quantum mechanics occurs due to the interaction between quantum systems and measurement devices. This collapse happens when there is a transfer of information between the quantum system and the measuring device. The probabilistic nature of quantum behavior and the uncertainty principle play a role in this interaction, making it difficult to precisely measure properties like position and momentum.