Simulations
Each week we'll post links to simulations that are used in lecture and homework, many of them will be from:
PhET: Physics Education Technology Project
Week 15 (Apr 18-22)
Single Photon Experiments from IOP St. Andrews:
Figure out how photons (or other particles) do and do not interfere with themselves. Hint: be sure to hit the CONTROLS tab after reviewing the instructions
Week 14: (Apr 11-15)
Quantum Bound States
Simulation of wave equation for various potential wells. Useful for all kinds of potentials.
PhET sim: Stern-Gerlach Experiment
Simulation of Stern-Gerlach analyzers, either indidual ones or analyzers in series.
Direction of the analysis as well as the spin state at the entrance can be varied.
LASERs.
Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.
Week 13: (Apr 4-Apr 8)
Alpha Decay:
Watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the half life.
Fission:
Start a chain reaction, or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Control energy production in a nuclear reactor! (Previously part of the Nuclear Physics simulation - now there are separate Alpha Decay and Nuclear Fission sims.)
Beta Decay:
Watch beta decay occur for a collection of nuclei or for an individual nucleus.
Neon Light and Other Discharge Lamps
The simulation shows you the mechanism of the excitation of atoms along with the emission of photons
in discharge lamps. Note the energy level scheme on the right hand side which shows you the transitions
of the electron inside the atom.
BlackBody Radiation
How does the blackbody spectrum of the sun compare to visible light? Learn about the blackbody spectrum of the sun, a light bulb, an oven, and the earth. Adjust the temperature to see the wavelength and intensity of the spectrum change. View the color of the peak of the spectral curve.
Models of the H atom
How did scientists figure out the structure of atoms without looking at them? Try out different models by shooting light at the atom. Check how the prediction of the model matches the experimental results.
LASERs.
Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.
Week 12: (Mar 25-Apr 1)
Quantum Bound States
Simulation of wave equation for various potential wells. Useful for all kinds of potentials.
Quantum Tunneling
Simulation wave equation for various potential well barriers (and tunneling scenarios)
John Travolage
See how everyday activities like shocks may depend on Quantum Mechanics!
Week 9: (Mar 7-11)
PhET sim: Stern-Gerlach Experiment
Simulation of Stern-Gerlach analyzers, either indidual ones or analyzers in series.
Direction of the analysis as well as the spin state at the entrance can be varied.
PhET sim: Fourier - Making Waves
Simulation showing how the superposition of plane waves lead to the build up of wave packets
PhET sim: Quantum Wave Interference
Simulation showing the double slit experiment with photons, electrons and other particles.
Double-Slit Experiment (by Hitachi)
On this page you can find the movie of the double-slit experiment with single electrons
shown and discussed in class. Scroll down
until you see the heading "Double-slit experiment", there is a sketch of the experiment, a brief description
and the link to the movie.
(Note: The first experiment showing the interference of electrons was done by Davisson and Germer in 1927. And,
the first double-slit experiment by Jonssons in 1961. But both experiments were done with electron beams, while
this experiment by Tonomura and colleagues and a previous one by Pozzi and colleagues
in Bologna, Italy, has been performed with single electrons showing that an individual electron behaves like a wave.)
PhET sim: Neon Light and Other Discharge Lamps
The simulation shows you the mechanism of the excitation of atoms along with the emission of photons
in discharge lamps. Note the energy level scheme on the right hand side which shows you the transitions
of the electron inside the atom.
PhET sim: Photoelectric Effect
The simulation displays the photoelectric effect. You can study how the current changes as
a function of the applied voltage (with and without light); how the current changes for an
increase/decrease of the light intensity and how the kinetic energy of the electrons changes
as a function of the wavelength/frequency of the light.
PhET sim: Wave Interference
The simulation show you how water waves / sound waves / light (electromagnetic waves) interfere.
You can explore the interference pattern that you have seen in lecture and that you study on HW2 for
the interference of light.
PhET sim: Radio Waves and Electromagnetic Fields
The simulation shows you how an accelerated charge (on the left) generates an oscillating electric field. You can either move the
charge by yourself or let is oscillate. Do you see what happens to the charge on the right once the electric field impinges the
antenna? Can you explain what happens in terms of electric field, force, motion?