Quantum Mechanics and the Layman

Most people don't know it, but research in quantum mechanics has influenced our lives in many ways. From lasers to the transistor, understanding quantum mechanics has led to huge advancements in technology over the last century. However, if you ask an average person about quantum mechanics, they usually won't have a clue as to what it is, and most definitely couldn't tell you the contributions the study of quantum mechanics has made in our lives. With this in mind, it seems necessary to teach people at least the basics of quantum mechanics and let them know how it holds relevance in their lives.

The problem with this lies in the fact that almost everybody finds quantum mechanics to be extremely confusing and counterintuitive. This can be attributed to the fact that what is shown to be true on a microscopic level is at odds with our everyday experience. We don't see, say, a baseball teleporting through a wall, but quantum tunneling shows that electrons can to just that. This leads people to think of quantum mechanics as some sort of science fiction that can never be fully understood. However, experiments show that the paradoxical events that happen atomically are quite real and in fact have a large effect on everything in the universe. Given that all matter is made up of atoms which in turn are made up of protons and electrons, to understand life as we know it, we must understand the physics behind very small particles.

I interviewed professor Carter Hall who among other classes teaches Quantum Mechanics (PHYS401) at the University of Maryland. He also is involved in several research projects involving nuclear physics, neutrinos and dark matter. He told me that not only do laymen find quantum mechanics to be confusing, but the people who perhaps find it most confusing are particle physicists themselves. The further one delves into the world on the atomic level, the more involved physics becomes. Uncertainty is the primary device used to measure anything at this scale, and unlike our macroscopic world, it becomes impossible to measure, for example, position and momentum accurately for one point in space.  On this level, many things are possible, albeit usually improbable, that are impossible in the reality we see every day.

This might be overwhelming for a non-physicist, but at least understanding that these things are possible can help the general population appreciate how technological developments such as nuclear reactors are possible. In order to bring people closer to science, we need to show them how it impacts their everyday lives, so hopefully in schools or in seminars we can teach students how things we can't even see have dramatically changed our lives.

DC Entertainment Radio: Keeping Up With Technology

Entertainment radio is common in most people's lives, we listen to the radio in the car, at events and sometimes at home. However, with the advent of new technology, it is uncertain whether entertainment radio will be able to change with the times, or if it is necessary for it to change.


The rise of web-based music stations such as Pandora and Spotify are certainly a threat to traditional radio, but they do lack the personality that entertainment radio brings. While some people want to simply listen to music, many appreciate the DJs and talk shows on their favorite stations. Radio is able to bring a local flavor to entertainment, and the wide variety of stations allow people to personalize their experience with radio. This is something that large online stations are unable to do as of yet.

Another aspect of radio that has yet to be implemented with online-only stations is automobile integration. With people primarily tuning in while driving, this is a huge monopoly for traditional radio. Online stations are harder to access from a vehicle, so until it becomes a standard for cars, it seems like traditional radio will have the upper hand in reaching listeners.

I spoke with Amanda Zimmerman about her findings on entertainment radio in DC and she agreed that it isn't going anywhere fast. With the diversity radio brings to the population, people will be hard-pressed to find an alternative as widely available and inexpensive as radio.

The Importance of Including Skepticism and Critical Thinking in the Classroom

Whether it is a fear of causing offense or simply oversight, skepticism is rarely introduced in the classroom, and by association, critical thinking isn't fully implemented. However, this is a dangerous environment for education, as it doesn't bother debunking obvious pseudoscience and quackery. If we want our students to become fully functional and critically thinking adults, we need to teach them skeptical inquiry and the value of questioning all they learn and know. Methods such as the CRITIC system help teach students how to understand the bias in and reliability of different claims.

I spoke with Dr. Alan Peel, who lectures at University of Maryland as part of the Astronomy Department. He also is a co-director of the College Park Scholars program: Science, Discovery & the Universe. Specific to my interests, he teaches the Science and Pseudoscience class as part of the scholars program. This class focuses on the difference between actual science and "pseudoscience": beliefs or practices that are mistakenly thought to have a basis in the scientific method. This class was helpful in establishing criteria for what is science and what isn't. I believe classes like this should be mandatory as they help students develop an understanding of skepticism and critique. Being skeptical develops critical thinking as one has to be able to understand bias, inaccurate results, and the burden of proof, as well as many other concepts. The ability to think critically is key in becoming a successful adult. Recognizing your own bias and questioning claims instead of just taking them as truth from an authority is important in rational decision making and analyzing data.

One might believe that maintaining a skeptical outlook is only important for those who are interested in science. This is happily untrue. Any person would do well to question the validity of scientific claims, if only to not be duped out of their money by such malarky as healing crystals or magnetic power bracelets. Being skeptical allows one to focus on finding the truth in all aspects of life and not fall victim to argument from authority. Critical thinking and skepticism are both traits that we should be instilling into students so that they can be as well informed as possible, as well as open minded to ideas they might initially be biased against.