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Quantum Mechanics - An Introduction
by Jeanette Cain
The importance and excitement of quantum mechanics is often lost through sheer intimidation of those two words. One does not need a doctorate degree to understand the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics. If you view it as a source of entertainment with amazing abilities, you may discover you know more than you ever dreamed possible. One of the most important steps to understanding any subject is to understand the definitions of the words involved. It is a wise person that keeps a dictionary nearby.
Quantum mechanics is the study of matter and radiation at an atomic level. During the 20th century, certain experiments produced results unexplainable by the classical physics of Newton and Galileo, for example. Classical physics means the physics of everyday life. Quantum mechanics importance is shown through the wave-particle dualities, tunneling, spinning of a particle and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. If these words intimidate you, pull out the dictionary and you'll discover you know more than originally thought!
In physics, quantum is energy, also known as a unit. It is the smallest imaginable amount of energy, which is capable of acting independently. Independent means capable of action without help from another. If you act independently, you are saying that you use your own ideas and you have no need to follow the rest of the crowd. Quantum and humans seem to have similar philosophies.
Mechanics is the branch dealing with the action of forces on bodies and motion, including the areas of kinetics, statics and kinematics. Force is the power and strength to control, or influence. Once again, humans and quantum have similarities.
When obvious flaws began to show in previous physic theories, relativity and quantum mechanics were developed to cope with these problems. At first, relativity was used to describe the physics of very fast, massive objects. Quantum mechanics began in the 1920's for the purpose of describing the physics of little tiny objects. Most of the advanced science technologies of the present would not have come into existence without the use of quantum mechanics.
The scientists and Nobel Prize winners associated with quantum mechanics continue to face uncertainties and doubts on the actions and mechanics, but that does not make it impossible to be known or experienced. Many problems facing this area of study is with differences of interpretation. However, it was a difference of interpretations that brought its existence into light.
There are many who may have interpretations and logical thoughts on quantum mechanics, but are afraid they have neither the intellect nor a degree-bearing name to justify giving it their time and study. Everyone encounters quantum mechanics on a daily basis. Are you the next light bearer of new thoughts for the next century?
Reference:
Quantum Mechanics Introduction
Classical vs. Quantum Physics, uncertainity principle, waves, and particles, etc.
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