Understanding the Quantum World

Focusing on the behavior of quantum entities as both particles and waves; the approach of presenting analogies over equations, Professor Carlson gives a handy way of visualizing this paradox; using a slinky to show how waves can be quantized.

The double-slit experiment; electrons behave as both particles and waves when passing through two parallel slits in a plate and then striking a screen; the wave properties disappear when the electrons are monitored as they pass through each slit.

If quantum effects hold at one's everyday scale; there would be no trouble sitting in three chairs; what happens when a particle in such a mixed state is forced by measurement to assume a definite position; observers disturb what they measure.

Two responses to the apparent incompatibility of quantum mechanics and classical physics; Bell's theorem shows that attempts to reconcile the two systems are futile in a certain class of theories; Schrodinger's cat is a thought experiment.

The major theories to explain the paradoxes of the quantum world; the Copenhagen interpretation; Einstein's realist view; the many worlds interpretation; quantum Bayesianism; non-local hidden variables; what seems to be governed by probability alone.

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle sets a limit on how much one can know about an object's position and momentum at the same time; Professor Carlson shows why atoms have structure and come in the diverse forms of the periodic table of elements.