Quantum Mechanics

Quantum mechanics (QM; also known as quantum physics or quantum theory), including quantum field theory, is a fundamental branch of physics concerned with processes involving, for example, atoms and photons. In such processes, said to be quantized, the action has been observed to be only in integer multiples of the Planck constant. This is utterly inexplicable in classical physics.

Quantum mechanics gradually arose from Max Planck's solution in 1900 to the black-body radiation problem (reported 1859) and Albert Einstein's 1905 paper which offered a quantum-based theory to explain the photoelect ...more

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Lists

The Ultimate Human Secrets - The Hidden Power in our Mysterio... by Ramzi Najjar

Expand Your Consciousness

138 books — 169 voters

Quantum Theory for Mathematicians by Brian C. Hall

The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol 3 by Richard P. Feynman

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David J. Griffiths

Quantum Theory and Further Quantum Theory (University of Oxford)

9 books — 3 voters

Promethean Horrors by Xavier Aldana Reyes

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82 books — 3 voters

Principles of Quantum Mechanics by Ramamurti Shankar

The Principles of Quantum Mechanics by Paul A.M. Dirac

The Quantum Theory of Fields by Steven Weinberg

Modern Quantum Mechanics by J.J. Sakurai

An Introduction To Quantum Field Theory by Michael E. Peskin

Quantum Physics (MMath)

51 books — 7 voters

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102 books — 3 voters

Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark

The Everett Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics by Jeffrey Alan Barrett

The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard P. Feynman

Max Tegmark's Mathematical Universe

92 books — 20 voters

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Quotes Tagged “Quantum Mechanics”

“ Electrons, when they were first discovered, behaved exactly like particles or bullets, very simply. Further research showed, from electron diffraction experiments for example, that they behaved like waves. As time went on there was a growing confusion about how these things really behaved ---- waves or particles, particles or waves? Everything looked like both. This growing confusion was resolved in 1925 or 1926 with the advent of the correct equations for quantum mechanics. Now we know how the Electrons, when they were first discovered, behaved exactly like particles or bullets, very simply. Further research showed, from electron diffraction experiments for example, that they behaved like waves. As time went on there was a growing confusion about how these things really behaved ---- waves or particles, particles or waves? Everything looked like both. This growing confusion was resolved in 1925 or 1926 with the advent of the correct equations for quantum mechanics. Now we know how the electrons and light behave. But what can I call it? If I say they behave like particles I give the wrong impression; also if I say they behave like waves. They behave in their own inimitable way, which technically could be called a quantum mechanical way. They behave in a way that is like nothing that you have seen before. Your experience with things that you have seen before is incomplete. The behavior of things on a very tiny scale is simply different. An atom does not behave like a weight hanging on a spring and oscillating. Nor does it behave like a miniature representation of the solar system with little planets going around in orbits. Nor does it appear to be somewhat like a cloud or fog of some sort surrounding the nucleus. It behaves like nothing you have seen before. There is one simplication at least. Electrons behave in this respect in exactly the same way as photons; they are both screwy, but in exactly in the same way…. The difficulty really is psychological and exists in the perpetual torment that results from your saying to yourself, "But how can it be like that?" which is a reflection of uncontrolled but utterly vain desire to see it in terms of something familiar. I will not describe it in terms of an analogy with something familiar; I will simply describe it. There was a time when the newspapers said that only twelve men understood the theory of relativity. I do not believe there ever was such a time. There might have been a time when only one man did, because he was the only guy who caught on, before he wrote his paper. But after people read the paper a lot of people understood the theory of relativity in some way or other, certainly more than twelve. On the other hand, I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics. So do not take the lecture too seriously, feeling that you really have to understand in terms of some model what I am going to describe, but just relax and enjoy it. I am going to tell you what nature behaves like. If you will simply admit that maybe she does behave like this, you will find her a delightful, entrancing thing. Do not keep saying to yourself, if you can possible avoid it, "But how can it be like that?" because you will get 'down the drain', into a blind alley from which nobody has escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like that. ...more ”
― Richard P. Feynman, The Character of Physical Law

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“ Many scientists have tried to make determinism and complementarity the basis of conclusions that seem to me weak and dangerous; for instance, they have used Heisenberg's uncertainty principle to bolster up human free will, though his principle, which applies exclusively to the behavior of electrons and is the direct result of microphysical measurement techniques, has nothing to do with human freedom of choice. It is far safer and wiser that the physicist remain on the solid ground of theoretical ...more ”
― Louis de Broglie, Nouvelles perspectives en microphysique

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