Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: The Einstein-First project approaches the teaching of Einsteinian physics through the use of physical models and analogies. This paper presents an approach to the teaching of quantum physics which begins by emphasising the particle-nature of light through the use of toy projectiles to represent photons. This allows key concepts including the spacing between photons, and photon momentum to be introduced. This in-turn allows an intuitive understanding of the uncertainty principle. We present optical interference in the context of individual photons, using actual videos showing the development of images one at a time. This enables simple laser interference experiments to be interpreted through the statistical arrival of photons. The wave aspects of quantum phenomenon are interpreted in terms of the wavelike nature of the arrival probabilities.
Source: Physics Education
Institution: The University of Western Australia
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2735688237