Quantum Mechanics Show

Age

Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Format

Stage Show

Materials

All Groups:

   Laptop (for various powerpoint components of each segment)
   A couple of extension cords and power strips 

Intro Group:

   Einstein wig
   blue, red, and green balls (for Einstein's photoelectric effect)
   Photoelectric effect demo apparatus
   Pendulum contraption (for Uncertainty Principle)
   Flashlight+hair drier contraption (for Uncertainty Principle)
   Large wooden box (for Schrodinger's Student demo)
   Large piece of fabric (to cover box, may be with FRIB show stuff)
   Stuffed toy cat (for Schrodinger's Student demo)
   Hat(s) and coin (for Schrodinger's Student demo)
   "One Hour Later..." sign
   2 or 3 identical ping pong balls (for Quantum Tunneling) 

STM Group:

   Mystery box (for electron microscope demo)
   Mystery object (block S, or other)
   Oven mitt (for electron microscope demo)
   Tesla Coil with round-ended metal rod (for tunneling demo)
   Model of atomic lattice
   Model of STM tip
   STM and STM's laptop 

Applications Group:

   Einstein wig
   Meter stick
   Million dot book (may be with FRIB show stuff)
   Newspaper
   Cup of water 

Safety Precautions

Science Theatre demonstrators must keep the safety of themselves and their audience in mind at all times. All Science Theatre demonstrators must have read through the Safety Training page. The ST Safety Box with first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc. should always be available to demonstrators. Always wear safety gloves, glasses, and a labcoat if handling chemicals; always perform potentially dangerous demonstrations at a safe distance from the audience; and always keep a very close eye on any volunteers you call from the audience.

When using Tesla coil, make sure no one with metal devices (especially medical ones, such as pacemakers or metal plates) are near the coil.

Preparation

Set up demo supplies on available tables.

Make sure you plan to have enough open space to set up the Schrodinger's/Tunneling box. Depending on the performance space, you can either begin with it set up (with hats inside), or folded up to the side. (This space can later be used to set up the Tesla coil.)

Set up STM and STM laptop (using gloves when touching the microscope), ideally placing the microscope on a separate table. This will reduce vibrations. Before the show begins, approach the sample to the tip and observe a few scans to check the tip and setup, then walk it out a little ways. Make sure no one jars the microscope at this point, and be sure the cords are not in a place where someone might trip over them. At the beginning of the STM part of the show, have the sample re-approach. It should be ready for scanning by the time the mystery box and Tesla coil demos are done.

Make sure the Mystery object is hidden from view.

Set up the laptop with the slide show and connect it to a projector. Make sure that the projector cable can be easily switched to the STM laptop when the time comes.

Demonstration

The Quantum Mechanics show is a roughly 45 minute long, scripted presentation on quantum physics. It is split into three parts:

Intro. Fundamental concepts are introduced, includes the photoelectric effect (presented by Albert Einstein!), Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrodinger's cat paradox, and electron tunneling.

Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) demo. Begins with a mystery box demo to explain why special microscopes like the STM are needed to look at objects on a nanometer scale, then uses the Tesla coil (see Demos.TeslaCoil) along with models of an atomic lattice and STM tip to describe qualitatively how the STM works, referencing the quantum mechanical concepts described in the intro.

Applications. Discusses what nanotechnology is and how it used in our everyday lives, and pants. A disgruntled Einstein reappears.

What to Say

There are two different scripts, each intended for different audiences. Directions on what to say and do are contained within the scripts.

For elementary and middle school students For corresponding slides, contact Jessie Muir (jlynnmuir@gmail.com).

For High School Students For corresponding slides, contact Jessie Muir (jlynnmuir@gmail.com).

New Script as of 2011

The presenters should, of course stay conscious of the audience's response during the performance and try to adjust the level of explanations accordingly.

Note: A new version of the photoelectric effect demo is in development. When it is completed, these scripts will be edited accordingly.