This webpage contains an interactive simulation that allows students to explore quantum interference of photons and matter particles. The simulation allows the user to shoot either a continuous beam or single particles at a screen and watch an interference pattern emerge. The entire evolution of the wave packet can be seen as it travels from the source to the screen. This simulation helps learners to develop a concrete mental model of quantum particles and the process of interference. User controls include resolution of the detector, size and placement of barriers, slits and detectors, types of particles modeled, frequency of photons or velocity of the particles. The simulations includes a stopwatch and ruler tool in order to record data and the capability to capture results at different times for comparisons.
This page also contains sample learning goals, a teacher's guide and user-submitted ideas and activities for use with the simulation.
This simulation is part of a large and growing collection. It has been designed using principles from physics education research and refined based on student interviews.
PhET Simulation: Quantum Wave Interference. (2006, August 11). Retrieved December 9, 2024, from PhET: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/quantum-wave-interference
%0 Electronic Source %D August 11, 2006 %T PhET Simulation: Quantum Wave Interference %I PhET %V 2024 %N 9 December 2024 %8 August 11, 2006 %9 application/java %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/quantum-wave-interference
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