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Topic list

What is quantum mechanics?
- A curiously exotic set of phenomena.
- theoretical model of very very tiny things.
- Major part of how the universe works.
- strangely: all of the above.
Why is quantum mechanics difficult to understand?
- Quantum world fundamentally different (intro).
  - Invisible, Heavily mathematical, Ubiquity, Different properties.
- Invisible leads to indirect observations.
  - Indirect information: observations.
  - Submicroscopic scale.
  - Macroscopic human senses.
  - Information through interaction.
  - Interaction causes alteration:
    - Observations alter state.
    - Environment alters (decoherence).
- Indirect information leads to models leads to math.
  - Models predicting observations.
  - Numerical observations require mathematical models.
- Limitations of non-mathematical descriptions.
  - Models difficult to explain without math background.
  - Only analogies to directly observable systems.
- Limitations of mathematical description.
  - Bad data to start (unmeasurable initial conditions)
  - Observers obey QM (Heisenberg cut)

A curiously exotic set of phenomena.
- Quanta: photo electric effect.
- Interference: double slit.
- Interference: single slit.
- Probability: double slit low intensity.
- Spin: stern-gerlach.
- Entanglement: separate measurements in coincidence.
The theoretical model of very very tiny things.
- Photo-excitation (classical field)
- Matter waves
- Matter waves are waves.
- Six ways to role two dice.
- Let's do the math: spin.
- Welcome to the edge of the known universe.
A major part of how the universe works.
- Ubiquity.
- Quantum apparatus; quantum observers.

User:Johnjbarton/sandbox/introduction to quantum mechanics

Topic list