Towards a Better Understanding of Quantum Mechanics

Philip T. Shemella

In their article “Improving Students’ Understanding of Quantum Mechanics,” the authors present the following survey question: “By definition, the Hamiltonian acting on any allowed state of the system Ψ will give the same state back, i.e., HΨ = EΨ…. Explain why you agree or disagree.” This wording appears to be ambiguous, since an “allowed state of the system” seems to connote an eigenstate. Perhaps better wording would be “the Hamiltonian acting on any wavefunction Ψ,” or even better, “acting on a wavefunction Ψ in Hilbert space,” rather than referring to the state as “allowed.”© 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Christian DE RONDE, Sven Aerts

Urban Kordeš

The article is an attempt at – yet once again – finding a source of more fitting metaphor for the study of consciousness inside the framework of quantum mechanics. It starts by doubting into the possibility of the naturalization of research of experience. Proceeding from that it searches for a more adequate way to implement Varela’s idea about a balanced bridging the explanatory gap. By comparing certain positions of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanical phenomena with the properties of introspection, it tries to point out that there might exist better epistemic positions for understanding consciousness than the ones most frequently used today.

Roland L. Omnes

Tarun Biswas

Quantum mechanics courses focus mostly on its computational aspects. This alone does not provide the same depth of understanding as most physicists have of classical mechanics. The understanding of classical mechanics is significantly bolstered by the intuitive understanding that one acquires through the playing of games like baseball at an early age. It would be good to have similar games for quantum mechanics. However, real games that involve quantum phenomena directly are impossible. So, computer simulated games are good alternatives. Here a computer game involving three interacting quantum particles is discussed. It is hoped that such games played at an early age will provide the intuitive background for a better understanding of quantum mechanics at a later age.

Jean Bricmont