User:Johnjbarton/sandbox/introduction to quantum mechanics

= Topic list =
 * What is quantum mechanics?
 * A curiously exotic set of phenomena.
 * theoretical model of very very tiny things.
 * Major part of how the universe works.
 * strangely: all of the above.
 * Why is quantum mechanics difficult to understand?
 * Quantum world fundamentally different (intro).
 * Invisible, Heavily mathematical, Ubiquity, Different properties.
 * Invisible leads to indirect observations.
 * Indirect information: observations.
 * Submicroscopic scale.
 * Macroscopic human senses.
 * Information through interaction.
 * Interaction causes alteration:
 * Observations alter state.
 * Environment alters (decoherence).
 * Indirect information leads to models leads to math.
 * Models predicting observations.
 * Numerical observations require mathematical models.
 * Limitations of non-mathematical descriptions.
 * Models difficult to explain without math background.
 * Only analogies to directly observable systems.
 * Limitations of mathematical description.
 * Bad data to start (unmeasurable initial conditions)
 * Observers obey QM (Heisenberg cut)


 * Curiously exotic phenomena and our models of very very tiny things.
 * Photo electric effect: quanta.
 * Photoabsorption: bound states and quantum jumps
 * Double slit: interference and matter waves.
 * Single slit: interference and yes waves.
 * Double slit low intensity: probability.
 * Radioactive decay: probability.
 * Stern-gerlach: spin
 * separate measurements in coincidence: entanglement.


 * A major part of how the universe works.
 * Ubiquity.
 * Quantum apparatus; quantum observers.
 * Welcome to the edge of the known universe.