The Stern–Gerlach experiment can play an important role in teaching the formalism of quantum mechanics. In the context of a finite-dimensional Hilbert space students can learn how to prepare a specific quantum state starting from an arbitrary state, issues related to the time evolution of the wave function and quantum measurement. The Stern–Gerlach experiment can also be used to teach the distinction between the physical space where the experiment is performed and the Hilbert space where the state of the system lies, and how information about the state of the system in the Hilbert space can be exploited to interpret the possible outcomes of the experiment in physical space. Students can learn the advantages of choosing an appropriate basis to make predictions about the outcomes of experiments with different arrangements of Stern–Gerlach devices. The latter can also help students understand that an ensemble of identically prepared systems is not the same as a mixture. We discuss student difficulties with the Stern–Gerlach experiment based on written tests and interviews with advanced undergraduate and graduate students in quantum mechanics courses. We also discuss preliminary data which suggest that the Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial on the Stern–Gerlach experiment is helpful in improving student understanding of these concepts.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 79, Issue 5, Pages 499-507
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=12089">Zhu, Guangtian, and Chandralekha Singh. "Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment." Am. J. Phys. 79, no. 5, (May 1, 2011): 499-507.</a>
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G. Zhu and C. Singh, , Am. J. Phys. 79 (5), 499 (2011), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093).
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G. Zhu and C. Singh, Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment, Am. J. Phys. 79 (5), 499 (2011), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093>.
APA Format
Zhu, G., & Singh, C. (2011, May 1). Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment. Am. J. Phys., 79(5), 499-507. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093
Chicago Format
Zhu, Guangtian, and Chandralekha Singh. "Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment." Am. J. Phys. 79, no. 5, (May 1, 2011): 499-507, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093 (accessed 10 November 2024).
MLA Format
Zhu, Guangtian, and Chandralekha Singh. "Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment." Am. J. Phys. 79.5 (2011): 499-507. 10 Nov. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093>.
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@article{
Author = "Guangtian Zhu and Chandralekha Singh",
Title = {Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment},
Journal = {Am. J. Phys.},
Volume = {79},
Number = {5},
Pages = {499-507},
Month = {May},
Year = {2011}
}
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%A Guangtian Zhu %A Chandralekha Singh %T Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment %J Am. J. Phys. %V 79 %N 5 %D May 1, 2011 %P 499-507 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093 %O application/pdf
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%0 Journal Article %A Zhu, Guangtian %A Singh, Chandralekha %D May 1, 2011 %T Improving students' understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment %J Am. J. Phys. %V 79 %N 5 %P 499-507 %8 May 1, 2011 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
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