Sm355 Videotapes Set

Synopsis

1: Looks at the ways in which quantum physics differs from Newtonian physics. Illustrates the determinism of Newton’s laws of motion using the analogy of a snoooker table. Also illustrates the staticstical nature of quantu physics.
2: One of the key aspects of quantum theory is the way microscopic particles are considered as being equivalent to probability waves in space. This video shows simple travelling waves using a ‘Vinecombe machine’. By reflection of these waves the effect of superposition of the waves is apparent and it shows the way standing wave patterns can be created when a sinusoidal wave is put into the system. The mathematical analogy of this is then expounded and the basis for Schrödinger’s equation established.
3: Introduces the mathematics of solving the Schrödinger equation. Shows how the solutions are related to energy by using of a potential well model. Discusses what happens for a free particle, leading to a discussion of bound and unbound solutions.
4: Looks at particular solutions to the Schrödinger equation for bound states. Starts from the uncertainty principle that position and momentum cannot be known simultaneously to an arbitrary degree of accuracy for any given system. Uses the analogy of taking photographs of a mass vibrating on the end of a spring. Shows via computer simulations the idea of linearity and emphasises the significance of psi and mod psi-squared.
5: Looks at an analysis free electrons travelling down an evaculated tube and time-independent solutions to the Schrödinger equation. Contrasts e/m and electron diffraction tubes, and considers reasons for the differences. Using electronic Fourier analysis, shows how frequency analysis of complex wave forms can describe precisely the sort of travelling waves found in electron tubes. Also shows the special properties of a Guassian distribution.
6: Looks at single diffraction experiments and their implications for understanding definitions of where exactly atomic and subatomic particles may be said to be within the formalism of quantum mechanics. Using a person-sized model of a slit and a beachball to represent an electron, the first experiment demonstrates the idea of the slit as a preparer of identical quantum states. Using a series of wave function templates, it is then shown what happens to the wave packet which represents the electron.
7: Describes the idea that the mysteries of quantum mechanics begin not with the behaviour and description of one-particle systems, but with two-particle systems. Explains the idea of polarisation of photons and the meaning of making a measurement onto the photon system in terms of eigenstates and observables. This leads to a consideration of two-particle systems and predictions of action at a distance made by quantum mechanics. Also looks at the definitive experiments by Alain Aspect and his co-workers in Orsay, France, in the 1980s to test the theoretical predictions of John Bell in the 1960s.

Series

Quantum Mechanics, Course Sm355

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 12, 28, 23, 26, 35, 26, 45 min. (7 bands on 5 tapes)

Year of production

1987

Availability

Sale; 1994 sale: £430.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Subjects

Physics

Keywords

quantum mechanics

Sections

Title

Determinism and statistics in quantum mechanics

Synopsis

1: Looks at the ways in which quantum physics differs from Newtonian physics. Illustrates the determinism of Newton's laws of motion using the analogy of a snoooker table. Also illustrates the staticstical nature of quantu physics.

Title

Band 1

Synopsis

2: One of the key aspects of quantum theory is the way microscopic particles are considered as being equivalent to probability waves in space. This video shows simple travelling waves using a 'Vinecombe machine'. By reflection of these waves the effect of

Title

Waves on strings

Synopsis

3: Introduces the mathematics of solving the Schrödinger equation. Shows how the solutions are related to energy by using of a potential well model. Discusses what happens for a free particle, leading to a discussion of bound and unbound solutions.

Title

Band 2

Synopsis

4: Looks at particular solutions to the Schrödinger equation for bound states. Starts from the uncertainty principle that position and momentum cannot be known simultaneously to an arbitrary degree of accuracy for any given system. Uses the analogy of tak

Title

Stationary states

Synopsis

5: Looks at an analysis free electrons travelling down an evaculated tube and time-independent solutions to the Schrödinger equation. Contrasts e/m and electron diffraction tubes, and considers reasons for the differences. Using electronic Fourier analysi

Title

Band 3

Synopsis

6: Looks at single diffraction experiments and their implications for understanding definitions of where exactly atomic and subatomic particles may be said to be within the formalism of quantum mechanics. Using a person-sized model of a slit and a beachba

Title

Free particle motion

Synopsis

7: Describes the idea that the mysteries of quantum mechanics begin not with the behaviour and description of one-particle systems, but with two-particle systems. Explains the idea of polarisation of photons and the meaning of making a measurement onto th

Title

Band 5

Title

Where is an electron

Title

Band 6

Title

Ghostly action at a distance

Title

Band 7

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk