People stand in front a large aquarium. Fishes and sharks swim in it.

Why is glass transparent?

If all things consist of molecules, why is it that some materials are transparent while others aren’t? Why is glass transparent? Continue reading Why is glass transparent?

KJ Runia2020-09-222022-10-21

Physics, Secondary ed level, Tutorial

Quantum mechanics in ten ideas for people on the move

If you’re on the move, you don’t have much time. Here are ten important ideas from quantum mechanics you can catch up on. Particles and wave functions! Continue reading Quantum mechanics in ten ideas for people on the move

KJ Runia2020-07-122020-07-16

Level 1 Undergraduate, Physics, Secondary ed level, Tutorial

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is famous in quantum mechanics. However, it doesn’t have its roots in quantum mechanics. Let’s look at Fourier transform pairs. Continue reading Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle

KJ Runia2020-06-272020-07-04

Level 1 Undergraduate, Physics, Secondary ed level, Tutorial

Quantum entanglement: the EPR paradox and Bell’s Theorem

Einstein didn’t like that quantum entanglement seemed to imply information travelling faster than the speed of light. We discuss Bell’s Theorem. Continue reading Quantum entanglement: the EPR paradox and Bell’s Theorem

KJ Runia2020-06-102020-07-02

Level 1 Undergraduate, Physics, Secondary ed level, Tutorial

Quantum entanglement: non-locality and the state of a two-particle system

In this two-parter, we discuss quantum entanglement, non-locality, and some mathematics. In the next post, we discuss the EPR paradox and Bell’s Theorem. Continue reading Quantum entanglement: non-locality and the state of a two-particle system

KJ Runia2020-05-242020-07-02

Physics, Secondary ed level, Tutorial

The double-slit experiment

We describe the famous double-slit experiment, which proved to be fundamental to our current understanding of quantum physics. Continue reading The double-slit experiment

KJ Runia2020-05-022020-07-01

A classical image of an atom is portrayed with an electron whizzing around the nucleus. They are all portrayed as balls, which is false.

Physics, Secondary ed level

This is not an atom

The standard cartoon of an atom is incorrect. An atom is not like a tiny planetary system. Quantum mechanics is all about the wave function. Let’s observe this carefully. Continue reading This is not an atom

KJ Runia2020-02-202025-08-271 Comment

A modern kitchen with a microwave oven. Is the radiation of a microwave oven unhealthy?

Physics, Secondary ed level, Tutorial

Is microwave oven radiation unhealthy?

We discuss what electromagnetic radiation is and why ionising radiation is dangerous. We discuss how a microwave oven heats up food, and vitamins too. Continue reading Is microwave oven radiation unhealthy?

KJ Runia2019-07-072020-07-161 Comment