Wave-Particle Duality: Light and Electrons

(due date:  Saturday, 8/8, midnight)

To complement our week investigating quantum mechanics, we'll start with a video and end with a simulation in a manner similar to last week.  Though, the video is much shorter (just over 53 min) and the simulation doesn't require Java.

Steps:

• Mo' background, first!

Watch "The Fabric of the Cosmos, Hour 3" on the NOVA site.  It will be fascinating and useful!  It is 53 minutes long.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/fabric-of-cosmos.html#fabric-quantum

• Write a short summary (at least 1/2-page).
• Discuss 3 things from the video you found most interesting or to be most important.
• Discuss 2 things you didn't quite understand, and describe what information you think you would need to better understand them.
• Pose 1 question regarding quantum mechanics.

• Double Slit
  • Now, we use a simulation for the double-slit experiment.  The simulation shoots one electron at a time at an adjustable rate (1 per second, 3 per second, 6 per second).  
  • Determine the problems:  
    • What will be the pattern observed on the screen when 1 electron is fired per second?
    • How will this pattern change when 3 electrons are fired per second?  When 6 are fired per second?

• • Develop hypotheses.
    
    • Go to the simulation:  http://www.upscale.utoronto.ca/PVB/Harrison/DoubleSlit/Flash/Histogram.html
    • Test each of your hypotheses.
    • Draw a conclusion based on your observations.  Does the result fit with what you've read and watched?