Description
Quantum mechanics, the science of the very small, is the most successful scientific theory in history.
Quick Look
Info: 2 pages, 42 ques + key
Format: MS Word & PDF
Video link: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/decoding-the-universe-quantum/
Other resources ($): Google Forms, Google Doc
The worksheet consists of 42 multiple choice and matching questions that follow the video, and a key is included. The zip file download features MS Word and PDF versions of the video questions. You will need to obtain a DVD of the video or locate an internet site for streaming.
Quantum mechanics, the science of the very small, is the most successful scientific theory in history. Beginning in the early 20th century, physicists began to realize that on the smallest scales, the universe appears to possess an inherent randomness as though, in the words of Einstein, God plays dice with the universe. Quantum theory describes bizarre phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. Quantum technologies include atomic clocks and lasers. Scientists and engineers are developing quantum computers that utilize superposition and entanglement to solve unique problems.
Overview: NOVA Decoding the Universe: Quantum
Quantum mechanics, the science of the very smallest particles in nature, makes several nonintuitive and bizarre predictions about nature. At the smallest levels, the position of a particle such as an electron is unknown until observed where it collapses from a state named a wave function. Particles exhibit both wave and particle features in this scenario. The behavior of matter on the smallest scales is probabilistic and not entirely predictable. This discovery refutes the deterministic, clockwork universe that resulted from the work of Isaac Newton. Albert Einstein was skeptical of these claims and famously stated that “God doesn’t play dice with the universe”. A quantum particle appears to exist simultaneously in all possible locations. This property is termed superposition.
Quantum mechanics is the most successful theory in the history of science and is the basis for technology such as atomic clocks, lasers, and quantum computing. The existence of black holes has been confirmed by technology using lasers. The first evidence for the existence of black holes was discovered in the 1970s when a NASA satellite named Uhuru detected a strong source of X-rays in the constellation Cygnus. Since then, in the last decade, the LIGO experiment has detected the gravitational waves emitted by colliding black holes. Such waves ripple through the universe at the speed of light causing space-time to stretch and warp. These extremely tiny fluctuations have been measured by the use of laser light projected at right angles along tunnels over two miles in diameter in the LIGO experiment. Black holes are also linked to quantum behavior through Stephen Hawking’s prediction of a type of radiation emitted by black holes. These particles are the result of quantum particle pairs appearing in empty space near a black hole. One particle can be captured by the black hole, and the other can be released into space. With this Hawking radiation, a black hole will eventually evaporate. Today we know that black holes are located at the centers of most large galaxies, but even these massive yet tiny objects will disappear in the far distant future of the universe.
Today, the second is defined by counting the oscillations of a cesium-133 atom. This result can be obtained in any laboratory with the proper equipment. Earth’s rotation can change over time and is not a constant standard. Today’s atomic clocks are so powerful that they can measure time dilation. Predicted by Albert Einstein, time for an individual will speed up or slow down depending on their velocity and proximity to massive objects. A person on top of the Empire State Building will experience faster time compared to a person on the ground. This effect is extremely small and not noticeable in daily life. Time dilation was depicted in the movie Interstellar when a pair of astronauts spent 3 hours on a planet orbiting a massive black hole. Upon returning to their companion, the pair found that he had aged 23 years. An atomic clock based on the strontium atom can measure time differences over heights of just a few hundred microns, the width of a human hair. The U.S.-based GPS system uses over 30 dedicated satellites in orbit around the earth. Each satellite features multiple atomic clocks. Today, everyone realizes the utility and importance of GPS technology.
Another bizarre prediction of quantum mechanics is entanglement in which two particles can be linked together even over vast distances. Einstein famously referred to entanglement as “spooky action at a distance”. When observing the properties of an entangled particle, the properties of its companion particular are instantly known even if it lies hundreds of miles away. It is like having two coins that, when flipped, always show the same face. Entanglement is being used in quantum computing where particles named qubits are linked together via entanglement to produce stunning levels of complexity in problem solving. Regular binary code in computers will show either a one or zero. A qubit will show any number of variations between one and zero. All of these states exist simultaneously in superposition within the qubit, and the particle collapses to a result when measured. Quantum computers may never become something like an ordinary laptop computer used at home. Instead, they are used to solve specific difficult problems. To be used, the qubits must be chilled to just above absolute zero to allow their use with superconducting metals. The development of quantum computing will likely become one of the greatest scientific and engineering achievements of the 21st century.
Highlights
Description
Quantum mechanics, the science of the very small, is the most successful scientific theory in history.
Quick Look
Info: 2 pages, 42 ques + key
Format: MS Word & PDF
Video link: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/decoding-the-universe-quantum/
Other resources ($): Google Forms, Google Doc
The worksheet consists of 42 multiple choice and matching questions that follow the video, and a key is included. The zip file download features MS Word and PDF versions of the video questions. You will need to obtain a DVD of the video or locate an internet site for streaming.
Quantum mechanics, the science of the very small, is the most successful scientific theory in history. Beginning in the early 20th century, physicists began to realize that on the smallest scales, the universe appears to possess an inherent randomness as though, in the words of Einstein, God plays dice with the universe. Quantum theory describes bizarre phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. Quantum technologies include atomic clocks and lasers. Scientists and engineers are developing quantum computers that utilize superposition and entanglement to solve unique problems.
Overview: NOVA Decoding the Universe: Quantum
Quantum mechanics, the science of the very smallest particles in nature, makes several nonintuitive and bizarre predictions about nature. At the smallest levels, the position of a particle such as an electron is unknown until observed where it collapses from a state named a wave function. Particles exhibit both wave and particle features in this scenario. The behavior of matter on the smallest scales is probabilistic and not entirely predictable. This discovery refutes the deterministic, clockwork universe that resulted from the work of Isaac Newton. Albert Einstein was skeptical of these claims and famously stated that “God doesn’t play dice with the universe”. A quantum particle appears to exist simultaneously in all possible locations. This property is termed superposition.
Quantum mechanics is the most successful theory in the history of science and is the basis for technology such as atomic clocks, lasers, and quantum computing. The existence of black holes has been confirmed by technology using lasers. The first evidence for the existence of black holes was discovered in the 1970s when a NASA satellite named Uhuru detected a strong source of X-rays in the constellation Cygnus. Since then, in the last decade, the LIGO experiment has detected the gravitational waves emitted by colliding black holes. Such waves ripple through the universe at the speed of light causing space-time to stretch and warp. These extremely tiny fluctuations have been measured by the use of laser light projected at right angles along tunnels over two miles in diameter in the LIGO experiment. Black holes are also linked to quantum behavior through Stephen Hawking’s prediction of a type of radiation emitted by black holes. These particles are the result of quantum particle pairs appearing in empty space near a black hole. One particle can be captured by the black hole, and the other can be released into space. With this Hawking radiation, a black hole will eventually evaporate. Today we know that black holes are located at the centers of most large galaxies, but even these massive yet tiny objects will disappear in the far distant future of the universe.
Today, the second is defined by counting the oscillations of a cesium-133 atom. This result can be obtained in any laboratory with the proper equipment. Earth’s rotation can change over time and is not a constant standard. Today’s atomic clocks are so powerful that they can measure time dilation. Predicted by Albert Einstein, time for an individual will speed up or slow down depending on their velocity and proximity to massive objects. A person on top of the Empire State Building will experience faster time compared to a person on the ground. This effect is extremely small and not noticeable in daily life. Time dilation was depicted in the movie Interstellar when a pair of astronauts spent 3 hours on a planet orbiting a massive black hole. Upon returning to their companion, the pair found that he had aged 23 years. An atomic clock based on the strontium atom can measure time differences over heights of just a few hundred microns, the width of a human hair. The U.S.-based GPS system uses over 30 dedicated satellites in orbit around the earth. Each satellite features multiple atomic clocks. Today, everyone realizes the utility and importance of GPS technology.
Another bizarre prediction of quantum mechanics is entanglement in which two particles can be linked together even over vast distances. Einstein famously referred to entanglement as “spooky action at a distance”. When observing the properties of an entangled particle, the properties of its companion particular are instantly known even if it lies hundreds of miles away. It is like having two coins that, when flipped, always show the same face. Entanglement is being used in quantum computing where particles named qubits are linked together via entanglement to produce stunning levels of complexity in problem solving. Regular binary code in computers will show either a one or zero. A qubit will show any number of variations between one and zero. All of these states exist simultaneously in superposition within the qubit, and the particle collapses to a result when measured. Quantum computers may never become something like an ordinary laptop computer used at home. Instead, they are used to solve specific difficult problems. To be used, the qubits must be chilled to just above absolute zero to allow their use with superconducting metals. The development of quantum computing will likely become one of the greatest scientific and engineering achievements of the 21st century.
