Introduction: Contexts and Challenges for Quantum Mechanics

Kim Krijtenburg-Lewerissa, Hendrik Jan Pol, Alexander Brinkman +1 more

Abstract Quantum mechanics (QM) has become part of many secondary school curricula. These curricula often do not include the mathematical tools for a formal, mathematical introduction of QM. QM therefore needs to be taught at a more conceptual level, but making secondary school students understand counterintuitive QM concepts without introducing mathematical formalism is a challenge. In order to accept QM, students not only have to see the need of it, but also have to see that QM is understandable and logical. Dutch secondary school students are familiar with potential energy (PE) in the context of gravitational and elastic energy. Therefore, the introduction of QM by using the potential wells and tunneling with emphasis on students’ prior knowledge of PE could be a way to make QM more understandable and logical. To explore this, we investigated the relation between the understanding of energy diagrams and the understanding of the potential well and tunneling. A module was created to promote students’ understanding of PE in classical context. Then, a quasi-experimental intervention was used, in which the experimental group received additional lessons using the module on classical energy diagrams before being taught QM. Two tests were developed in order to determine students’ understanding of PE and QM. The results of the tests showed that the experimental group not only had better understanding of PE diagrams, but also of QM even before they were being taught QM. Analysis of the tests also showed that there was a significant correlation between the understanding of PE diagrams and the understanding of QM. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that emphasis on PE can be used to reduce the gap between students’ prior knowledge and QM.

Frank S. Levin

Abstract By surveying aspects of the book, the Introduction invites readers to prepare their mental surfboards for surfing the challenging waves of the quantum world. Max Planck’s weird use of the quantum concept is identified as the origin of the quantum revolution of the first part of the twentieth century. It is pointed out that mental muscles will be stretched by a variety of mind-bending quantum concepts and phenomena, both microscopic and macroscopic. These include the analogy between the behavior of a particle in a so-called quantum box and the vibrations of a musical string, and the role of quantum mechanics in determining the maximum heights of mountains. It is noted that the fundamental principles of quantum theory are the underpinning for explaining the mystery with two-slit experiments, while the book’s final chapters explore two features that have been referred to in non-scientific contexts: entanglement and Schrödinger’s cat.

Mark W. Paschke

Alfred Phillips

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics is an introduction to the power and elegance of quantum mechanics. Assuming little in the way of prior knowledge, quantum concepts are carefully and precisely presented, and explored through numerous applications and problems. Some of the more challenging aspects that are essential for a modern appreciation of the subject have been included, but are introduced and developed in the simplest way possible.Undergraduates taking a first course on quantum mechanics will find this text an invaluable introduction to the field and help prepare them for more adv

G. C. Ghirardi