Introduction to Quantum Mechanics.

I've been inspired by Dr. Adequate's series on Geology (an amazing thread), so I would just like to propose a similar introduction to quantum mechanics. I would plan to begin around May this year. I know it is pretty early to be proposing this, but I plan to treat it like a proper course, similar enough to those I actually lecture, so I would need some time to prepare.

The only mathematics involved will be matrices and vectors.

EDIT: Vectors and matrices form the subject known as linear algebra, the amount of linear algebra necessary for the course will be explained in a separate pdf/post. To learn linear algebra you only need to know what a number is!

Edited by Son Goku, : Little details on the mathematics.

Edited by Son Goku, : I can't spell.

I think this is a great idea, especially seeing as how you would be teaching us! Do you want me to move this to a particular forum now, or shall we wait until May?

I guess it could be put in one of the science forums, Miscellany or Big Bang and Cosmology would be fine.

Mainly to gauge interest and see what topics people might like to see discussed.

Thread copied here from the Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. thread in the Proposed New Topics forum.

A good idea. And then when you're done we should turn it into a wikibook like I did with mine, so as to reach a wider audience --- I'll help if you like.

I would plan to begin around May this year. I know it is pretty early to be proposing this, but I plan to treat it like a proper course, similar enough to those I actually lecture, so I would need some time to prepare.

You don't have to prepare the whole thing before you start, do you? I didn't.

... And then when you're done we should turn it into a wikibook like I did with mine, so as to reach a wider audience ...

Curiously I was thinking of something similar for the Age Correlations\Consilience next revision ... message me?

What sort of system would you be trying to implement?
One more of a textbook style where questions/comments are made in another thread?
Or one more of an open style where questions/comments are made directly to your posts?
(I just foresee a whack of questions... from me!!!)

Or a comment like this:

The only mathematics involved will be matrices and vectors.

If there are any programmers who don't know these math terms... there are some simple programming analogies:

A matrix is a 2 dimensional array.
A vector is a specific type of matrix... a 1 dimensional array.
A scalar is a single value (like a regular DINT or REAL, or something).

A matrix (generally) is made up of a bunch of vectors.
A vector (generally) is made up of a bunch of scalars.

The terms, however, are designed for geometry and geometric relationships.
Because of this, the positions of the arrays are generally specific for a single identification.

That is, a "force" vector could be defined as a single array with the first value representing the magnitude and the second value representing the direction. If so... then the first value would always be representing magnitudes and the second value would always be representing directions, especially when comparing this vector to any other "force" vector.

The values in arrays used in the context of vectors and matrices would never be used in any sort of data shifting (like a FIFO or FILO where the values are moved from one end of the array to the other...) the information in the specific, defined locations is key.

Edited by Stile, : Scalar? I damned near killed 'er!!

scaler

A scaler is that pointy instrument the dentist uses to hack at your gums before telling you 'your gums are bleeding'.

Scalar is the term you mean to use.

I don't think a separate peanut gallery is a good idea. If someone has a question, then the answer should be in-thread for the general edification of the readers.

In my own thread I also broke forum etiquette (as I announced I would at the start) by going back and changing posts in response to comments.

I'm really looking forward to this one. You guys provide a great service providing everyone with a free education.

Thanks for the offer, seems like a good idea. Hopefully I'll be able to do it myself, as I wouldn't like to bother you, but there's probably subtleties to the process I don't know about, so I might need your help!

I'm preparing it in advance, since every time I write a university course, only at the end do I realise exactly when certain ideas should be introduced. My "lesson by lesson" version wouldn't be as good.

Looking forward to this Son Goku. I absolutely love physics, but my knowledge of quantum mechanics is not very vast. I only took one semester of it in university when I was studying electrical engineering.

Oddly enough, I think I might have been smarter before I took the course. Trying to wrap my head around some of those concepts or work through Schrodinger's equation might have actually broken part of my brain.

It did eventually cause me to get a cat however...

"cause me to get a cat"

A cat and. ...

A cat, a steamer trunk, a Geiger counter and a vile of poison...?

A cat, a steamer trunk, a Geiger counter and a vile of poison...?

I just went with the cat.