Physics 2130

Spr 2015

Final Project (Optional)

In order to replace the long answer portion of one of the exams, students will be able write a short essay on a topic related to quantum mechanics, or on your experience of learning about quantum mechanics.  Papers should be at least two (2) pages in length (minimum, single-spaced, and definitely not more than five (5) pages).  Papers must be submitted electronically (in Word or PDF format) and will be due on the last day of classes (Friday, May 1, 2015, noon). 

Papers must be submitted through D2L and undergo the plagiarism checker You should run the check.  Students must have their topics approved on D2L and submitted by 5p Monday 4/27. To be approved by 5p Monday, you must have your project topic submitted no later than 5p Friday 4/24 on D2L (stay tuned in class for submission options)

This effort is meant to be an exploration of a topic beyond our discussions in class, or in the readings, so students must cite at least one source that is not among the assigned readings from this course (NOTE: Wikipedia and the like do NOT count as legitimate sources).  As a starting-off point for some of you, several additional articles on quantum information, cryptography & computing will be posted on our NB site or D2L.  We are open to students expressing their knowledge and understanding creatively – youtube videos, podcasts, computer animations, interpretive dance and the like would be acceptable as a final project, as long as the instructors approve of your proposal ahead of time.

Possible topics include:

• Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
• Wave-Particle Duality
• The Copenhagen Interpretation
• The Many-Worlds Interpretation
• Decoherence
• Schrödinger’s Cat
• Objective Reality
• Indeterminacy in Quantum Mechanics
• Quantum Cryptography
• Quantum Computing
• Quantum Teleportation
• String Theory
• Quantum Gravity
• Bosons and Fermions
• Classical Physics vs. Quantum Physics
• Quantum physics in popular culture
• Any important experiment in the history of quantum physics
  
  
• Or, you may choose to write a personal reflection on your experiences in this course by answering the following questions in as much detail as possible (plus anything else you would like to add):

  Describe your experience of learning about quantum mechanics in this course.  What motivated you to take this course, what sort of questions did you have coming in, and were these questions or motivations addressed during the course?  Has this course changed your ideas about physics and the practice of science in any way?  If so, were there any particular ideas or discussions that led to this change in your perceptions?  What topic(s) from this course were most interesting to you (and why)?  Are there topics that you wish we had covered in this course, or ones that you wish we hadn’t?  What teaching techniques (lecture, peer-instruction, readings, concept tests, simulations, etc…) were helpful for you in learning about quantum mechanics, interpetation and learning about your learning.