updated september 2011 paper cut. updated september 2011 what is quantum mechanics?

Updated September 2011

Paper Cut


What is quantum mechanics?


Niehls Bohr

Anonymous Photograph of Niels Bohr circa 1922

Max Planck

Courtesy of the Clendening History of Medicine Library, University of Kansas Medical Center.

Albert Einstein

Photograph by FerdinandSchmutzer

An understanding of quantum mechanics began in the early 19th century and had many contributors, including these well-known physicists.


Quantum Mechanics is the study of the dual particle-like and

wave-like behavior of matter

and energy. Image by Sbyrnes321


Quantum Mechanics describes

physics at the atomic scale and

smaller.Image cc by Collin M.L. Burnett


Matter and energy behave as both waves and particles.

Matter at the quantum scale behaves differently in several ways:

At the quantum scale, you cannot observe both the speed and the location of a matter and energy at the same time.

The behavior of matter and energy at the quantum scale is often counter-intuitive to classical physics.


Is nanotechnology better described by quantum mechanics or classical

mechanics?


Neither. Nanotechnology falls in between these at the mesoscopic scale.

cc by Guillaume Paumier Image cc by Collin M.L. Burnett

Atomic Scale

Mesoscopic Scale

Macro Scale

Quantum MechanicsNanotechnology

Classical Physics


At the mesoscopic scale, the properties of matter are governed by BOTH classical and

quantum mechanics.

What could be the implications of this?


This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a

PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.

The series was funded in part by:

The National Science Foundation

Grant DUE-0702976and the

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.


Image Credits

Schmutzer, Ferdinand (Photographer). Portrait of Albert Einstein. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Anonymous Photographer. Portrait of Neils Bohr. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Anonymous Photographer. Portrait of Max Planck. Courtesy of the Clendening History of Medicine Library, University of Kansas Medical Center.

Sbyrnes321 (Animator). QuantumHarmonicOscillatorAnimation. United States. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)

Burnett, Collin M.L. (Designer). Rutherford Atom. Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)


References

Scientific American Editors. Understanding Nanotechnology (2002). [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com

Cutting it Down to Nano Outreach Activity. Exploring the Nano World. Retrieved from http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/IPSE/educators/cuttingNano.html

updated september 2011 paper cut. updated september 2011 what is quantum mechanics?

Documents