imported>Morganp at 18:32, 16 August 2016

2016-08-16T18:32:57Z

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	~~Schrodinger’s Cat (~~Physics: Multi ~~state theory;~~ Elementary, ~~middle~~, ~~high school;~~ Stage)		\| [[Physics]]:
	This demonstration is ~~largely scripted, and requires~~ a ~~bit~~ of ~~imagination~~. This demonstration ~~works for an elementary and middle school group when done with~~ the ~~rest of~~ the [[Quantum Mechanics Show]]		\| Quantum Mechanics, Multi-State Theory
	~~What~~ you need:		\|-
	~~- Two folding walls (to use as a box)~~		\| Grade Range:
	~~- Cloth (to cover the box)~~		\| [[Elementary School]], [[Middle School]], [[High School]]
	- Cat ~~plush~~		\|-
	~~- A large coin~~ or ~~similar~~		\| Format:
	~~- Several Hats~~		\| [[Stage]]
	Safety:		\|}
	General Safety ~~precautions~~
	~~How to do it:~~		This demonstration is a part of the Quantum Mechanics Show. This demonstration is not typically performed by itself, since it does require background knowledge in the topic to be understood. In the Quantum Mechanics Show, this demonstration is scripted, so although this write-up does not provide a script, one should be aware of the differences that happen between scripted and non-scripted demonstrations.
	1. Set up the box~~: Set the two folding walls together to make a large open-top box~~, and ~~place~~ the ~~hats inside~~ of ~~it. Keep~~ the ~~cloth nearby to cover the box~~. ~~The~~ cat and the ~~coin will be in your hands.~~
	2. ~~Go through part 1 of the script: introduction to Schrodinger’s Cat paradox~~		''In order to perform this demonstration, you need '''two''' presenters.''
	3. Ask for a ~~student~~ volunteer, and ~~have~~ them ~~enter into~~ the ~~box. Show~~ the ~~coin to the rest~~ of the ~~audience~~, ~~stating that heads means they will~~ put the ~~cat on their head,~~ and tails ~~means~~ they put ~~a hat~~ on their head. Have ~~them squat into~~ the box with the coin and ~~cat~~, ~~then throw~~ the ~~cover over~~ the ~~top~~.
	~~4. While waiting~~ for the ~~result~~, ~~ask~~ the audience to ~~vote if they~~ will ~~have either~~ the cat ~~on their head, a hat on their head~~, or both ~~on their head~~. ~~After voting pull off~~ the ~~cover~~ and have the volunteer ~~stand~~. ~~What~~ is the ~~result?~~		== Materials ==
	5. ~~Have~~ the ~~volunteer sit back down~~, ~~and then do part 2~~ of the ~~script: complications of~~ the ~~paradox~~.
	~~Why~~ it ~~works:~~		* Schrodinger's Cat Box
	~~Schrodinger’s~~ cat ~~paradox~~ is ~~a classic paradox~~ that ~~illustrates how complicated quantum systems can get~~. ~~While unobserved~~, ~~a quantum particle can~~ be ~~occupying several~~ energy states ~~at the same time~~. ~~This means that~~ a particle, such as an electron, ~~can be occupying several electron shells for an atom simultaneously~~, ~~and all the while~~ it is ~~not gaining or losing energy~~. This is ~~called Superposition~~, ~~and it is a core part~~ of the ~~quantum mechanics. However, the moment you observe the system, the superposition~~ of the particle ~~will collapse. This is because the moment you observe the system, you are then adding~~ energy to the system. This ~~additional energy given~~ causes the particle ~~to lock~~ into a single state, ~~rather than continue~~ to ~~occupy multiple~~ states. This ~~means~~ the superposition ~~has to~~ end ~~if there is~~ a ~~change~~ of ~~energy~~ in ~~the system~~, ~~since~~ the ~~addition or subtraction~~ of ~~energy will change~~ the ~~range of freedom for~~ the ~~particle.~~		* MSU Cat Plush
	~~Note:~~ This ~~explanation~~ is ~~written with~~ the ~~presumption that one has read the script. The script for this demonstration provides more basic information that this builds on.~~		* Hats
	~~-->~~		* Large Plastic or Foam Coin
			* Black Cloth
			* "One Hour Later" Sign

			== Safety Precautions ==

			Please read the General Safety Precautions section of the [[Demonstration Safety]] page before performing this demonstration.

			== Demonstration ==

			# Set up the box onstage, and have Presenter A briefly introduce the idea of the Schrodinger's Cat Paradox (see "Why This Works"). As they talk about placing a cat in a box, Presenter A should pick up and toss the MSU cat plush into the box.
			# Ask for a volunteer from the audience, and explain to them and the audience the purpose of the coin: If it lands heads up, the volunteer can put on a hat (presenter B shows the hats and tosses them into the box). If it lands tails up, then they can put the MSU cat plush on their head.
			# Have the volunteer enter the box with the coin, and have them crouch down so the cloth can be put across the top. After the cloth is placed across, tell them to flip the coin and follow the directions.
			# Presenter A: Let the audience know that you have to wait an hour now for the experiment to happen. A few seconds later, Presenter B should walk across the front of the stage with the "One Hour Later" sign. Presenter A can then acknowledge that "An hour just passed by".
			# Poll the audience to see who thinks the volunteer will be wearing a hat, the cat, or both. Uncover the box and have the volunteer exit it to reveal what they are wearing.

			== Why This Works ==

			The Schrodinger's Cat Paradox is a classic thought puzzle in Quantum Mechanics. Suppose we put a cat inside of a box which contains a special detector. This detector has a 50% chance of being triggered over the course of an hour. If the detector is triggered, it will open a vial of poison inside the box, instantly killing the cat. If it is not triggered, then the cat will be unharmed. After waiting an hour, before opening the box, is the cat alive or dead? The answer is that the cat would be in both states, alive and dead simultaneously, while the box is still closed.

			This thought puzzle may sound silly when applied to living things, but on the atomic scale this theory of being in multiple states is well proven. ''Multi-State Theory'' is the tendency for atomic particles to be in multiple energy states simultaneously, without gaining or losing energy. When a particle, such as an electron, is in multiple states, it is said to be in a ''Superposition'' between states. This superposition lasts until the particle is observed or measured, since the act of measuring the state of the particle adds energy to the system. This causes the superposition to collapse, and the particle locks into a single state.

			When our volunteer is in the covered box, we can pretend that they are in an unobserved state. This means that while they are in there, before we try to observe or measure their state of having a cat or a hat on their head, they would have both the cat and the hat on their head. Our volunteer represents an atomic particle in this respect, since they are unobserved and therefore should be in both states at the same time. However, once we take the cover off and open the lid, we are then observing the system. This collapses the superposition of our volunteer, and so they will end up with either a cat or a hat on their head.

			== Additional Information ==

			* To see real examples of particles in a superposition, check out this [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/dslit.html Hyperphysics Double Slit Diffraction Illustration].
			* In the scripted version of this demonstration, the background presenters all meow whenever the main presenter says "cat"!
			* This demonstration is a part of the [[Quantum Mechanics Show]]

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Schrodingers Cat - Revision history

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