Everyday quantum physics

Everyday quantum physics course is going to reveal to you how the world around you is the way it is due to quantum physics – from the technology you use, to the objects in your everyday life, and possibly even biological life itself.

What will you learn in Everyday quantum physics?

• The history of quantum physics
• Matrix and wave mechanics
• The development of quantum theory, including tests for entanglement
• Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle
• Schrodinger’s cat
• Quantum phenomena from time reversal to teleportation
• Quantum encryption and quantum computing
• The interpretations physicists use to bridge the quantum/classical divide
• Quantum gravity
• Quantum biology

Who is Everyday quantum physics course suitable for?

Everyday quantum physics course is suitable for all levels.

Everyday quantum physics course offers a solid introduction to some of the themes that would be covered in a quantum physics degree program. You do not need a mathematical background to enjoy this course.

You might be thinking about taking a course at university on quantum physics. Or you may want to understand quantum physics but have been daunted because the predictions it makes are so strange that even Albert Einstein found them disturbing.

You might want to prove to yourself that you are up to the challenge of understanding the basic principles of quantum theory.

Alternatively, you might be curious to know exactly how quantum physics has contributed to the development of an astonishing variety of modern technologies.

After completing the course, you will be issued with a digital certificate. This can be used as evidence to show during job and university applications, or appraisals.

Course curriculum

1. Free preview

• Why you should take this quantum physics course
• Course introduction video: Quantum physics is for all
• Preview: Course objectives
• Lesson preview: A quantum of understanding
• Video lesson preview: Planck’s desperate move
• Video lesson preview: Quantum biology

2. Introduction

• How to view this course
• Course objectives
• Quantum physics is for all

3. What is quantum?

• The quantum world
• Objectives and agenda
• A quantum of understanding
• Planck’s desperate move
• Waves
• Photoelectric phenomena
• Einstein’s Nobel idea
• Light spectra
• Bohr and the atom
• What is quantum quiz

4. The theory emerges

• Order from chaos
• Objectives and agenda
• Magic of matrices
• Matrix mechanics and wave mechanics
• Einstein’s aversion
• The probability revolution
• Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle
• Schrödinger’s cat
• Wave function collapse or decoherence
• Test your understanding

5. Light and matter – Quantum electrodynamics

• Bringing light and matter together
• Objectives and agenda
• The quantum window
• Quantum spin and the Pauli exclusion principle
• The basics of QED and quantum field theory
• Test your understanding
• The infinity crisis
• Diagramming the quantum
• Time reversal

6. Entanglement

• Einstein’s last attack
• Objectives and agenda
• EPR
• Bell’s inequality
• Testing for entanglement
• Quantum encryption
• Quantum teleportation
• Entanglement and instant communication
• Test your understanding

7. What does it mean? – Quantum interpretation

• Science with interpretations
• Objectives and agenda
• Shut up and calculate
• Why physicists argue over interpretations of quantum physics
• Many worlds
• De Broglie-Bohm interpretation
• A step into relativity
• Relational interpretation
• Untangling interpretations
• Test your understanding

8. The practical quantum

• Quantum lives
• Objectives and agenda
• Lasers and LEDs
• Electronics
• Tunnelling and memory
• Superconducting magic
• Unpacking the MRI machine
• Josephson junctions
• Quantum computing
• Test your understanding

9. Quantum possibilities

• Only the beginning
• Objectives and agenda
• Bose-Einstein condensates
• Quantum gravity
• Quantum optics
• Zero-point energy
• Quantum biology
• Test your understanding

10. Conclusion

• Conclusion
• The big quantum quiz
• More to explore
• Speaker profiles
• Course glossary
• Next steps
• Course feedback

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