Transcript Paper Cut Updated September 2011 What is quantum mechanics? Updated September 2011 Albert Einstein Niehls Bohr Max Planck Photograph by Ferdinand Schmutzer Anonymous Photograph of Niels Bohr circa 1922 Courtesy.

Paper Cut
Updated September 2011
What is quantum
mechanics?
Updated September 2011
Albert Einstein
Niehls Bohr
Max Planck
Photograph by Ferdinand
Schmutzer
Anonymous Photograph
of Niels Bohr circa 1922
Courtesy of the Clendening History
of Medicine Library, University of
Kansas Medical Center.
An understanding of quantum mechanics began in the
early 19th century and had many contributors, including
these well-known physicists.
Updated September 2011
Quantum
Mechanics is the
study of the dual
particle-like and
wave-like
behavior of matter
and energy.
Updated September 2011
Image by Sbyrnes321
Quantum
Mechanics
describes
physics at the
atomic scale and
smaller.
Updated September 2011
Image cc by Collin M.L. Burnett
Matter at the quantum scale behaves differently in several
ways:
Matter and energy behave as both waves
and particles.
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.
Updated September 2011
Is nanotechnology better
described by quantum
mechanics or classical
mechanics?
Updated September 2011
Neither. Nanotechnology falls in between
these at the mesoscopic scale.
Macro Scale
Mesoscopic Scale
Atomic Scale
Image cc by Collin M.L.
Burnett
Quantum Mechanics
Nanotechnology
Classical Physics
Updated September 2011
At the mesoscopic scale, the properties of
matter are governed by BOTH classical and
quantum mechanics.
What could be the implications of this?
Updated September 2011
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-0702976
and 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.
Updated September 2011
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)
Updated September 2011
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