In methods for simulating the evolution of a real-world quantum system over time, a state-preparation sequence of quantum gates is applied to a qubit register of a quantum computer. The state-preparation sequence is configured to prepare in the qubit register an initial model state representing an initial state of the real-world quantum system. A Hamiltonian operator for the real-world quantum system is received and used in the example method. The Hamiltonian operator represents two-body potential-energy interactions in a factorized form comprising at least one Majorana operator. A time-evolution-operator sequence of quantum gates comprising a block-encoded form of the Hamiltonian operator is now applied to the qubit register of the quantum computer, yielding a changed model state that represents a time-evolved state of the real-world quantum system. A measurement operation is applied subsequently to the qubit register. The measurement operation is configured to reveal an observable property of the changed model state.