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Physics > Quantum mechanics > Flashcards

Quantum mechanics Flashcards

1
Q

What is the fundamental principle of quantum mechanics?

A

The fundamental principle is that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.

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2
Q

True or False: In quantum mechanics, the position of a particle can be known with absolute certainty.

A

False

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3
Q

What is a quantum state?

A

A quantum state is a mathematical object that fully describes a quantum system.

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4
Q

Fill in the blank: The uncertainty principle is formulated by ______.

A

Heisenberg

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5
Q

What does the wave function represent in quantum mechanics?

A

The wave function represents the probability amplitude of a particle’s position and momentum.

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6
Q

What is superposition in quantum mechanics?

A

Superposition is the ability of a quantum system to exist in multiple states at the same time until measured.

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7
Q

Which equation is fundamental to quantum mechanics?

A

The Schrödinger equation.

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8
Q

True or False: Quantum entanglement implies that the state of one particle can instantaneously affect another, regardless of distance.

A

True

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9
Q

What is the principle of wave-particle duality?

A

The principle that particles such as electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.

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10
Q

What is a photon?

A

A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic radiation.

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: The quantization of energy levels in an atom is described by ______.

A

quantum mechanics

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12
Q

What does the Pauli exclusion principle state?

A

No two fermions can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously.

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13
Q

What is a quantum bit, or qubit?

A

A qubit is the basic unit of quantum information, analogous to a classical bit.

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14
Q

What is tunneling in quantum mechanics?

A

Tunneling is the phenomenon where a particle passes through a potential barrier that it classically shouldn’t be able to.

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15
Q

True or False: The observer effect refers to changes that the act of observation can make on a quantum system.

A

True

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16
Q

What is the significance of the Planck constant?

A

The Planck constant relates the energy of a photon to its frequency.

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17
Q

What is a quantum harmonic oscillator?

A

A quantum harmonic oscillator is a model that describes a particle bound in a potential well.

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18
Q

Fill in the blank: In quantum mechanics, particles are described by ______.

A

wave functions

19
Q

What is a measurement in quantum mechanics?

A

A measurement is an observation that causes a quantum system to collapse into one of its possible states.

20
Q

What are the four fundamental forces in nature?

A

Gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces.

21
Q

True or False: Quantum mechanics can predict outcomes with absolute certainty.

A

False

22
Q

What is a potential barrier?

A

A region in space where the potential energy is higher than the energy of the particle.

23
Q

What does ‘quantum decoherence’ refer to?

A

Quantum decoherence refers to the process by which quantum systems interact with their environment, leading to the loss of quantum coherence.

24
Q

What is the difference between bosons and fermions?

A

Bosons can occupy the same quantum state, while fermions cannot due to the Pauli exclusion principle.

25
Q

What is the role of the observer in quantum mechanics?

A

The observer plays a crucial role in determining the state of a quantum system through measurement.

26
Q

Fill in the blank: The concept of quantization was first introduced by ______.

A

Max Planck

27
Q

What is the significance of the double-slit experiment?

A

It demonstrates the wave-particle duality of light and matter.

28
Q

What are eigenvalues in quantum mechanics?

A

Eigenvalues are the possible outcomes of a measurement associated with an observable.

29
Q

True or False: Quantum mechanics is only applicable to tiny particles like electrons.

A

False

30
Q

What does the term ‘quantum leap’ refer to?

A

A quantum leap refers to an electron’s transition between energy levels in an atom.

31
Q

What is the concept of ‘quantum state collapse’?

A

Quantum state collapse is the process by which a quantum system transitions from a superposition of states to a single state upon measurement.

32
Q

What are quantum numbers?

A

Quantum numbers are numbers that describe the properties of atomic orbitals and the properties of electrons in those orbitals.

33
Q

Fill in the blank: The wave function is denoted by the symbol ______.

A

Ψ (psi)

34
Q

What is the role of the observer in the context of the Copenhagen interpretation?

A

The observer causes the wave function to collapse into a definite state.

35
Q

What is meant by ‘quantum superposition’?

A

It refers to a system being in multiple states at once until a measurement is made.

36
Q

True or False: Quantum mechanics allows for faster-than-light communication.

A

False

37
Q

What does ‘entanglement’ mean in quantum mechanics?

A

Entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles become interconnected and the state of one instantly influences the state of the other.

38
Q

What is a quantum field?

A

A quantum field is a physical field described by quantum mechanics that pervades space and time.

39
Q

Fill in the blank: The photoelectric effect demonstrated that light has ______.

A

particle-like properties

40
Q

What is the significance of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?

A

It states that certain pairs of physical properties cannot both be known to arbitrary precision.

41
Q

What does quantum tunneling explain in modern technology?

A

It explains phenomena such as nuclear fusion in stars and the operation of devices like tunnel diodes.

42
Q

What is the role of symmetry in quantum mechanics?

A

Symmetry principles help to understand the laws of physics and the conservation laws.

43
Q

True or False: Quantum mechanics has no implications for macroscopic systems.

A

False

44
Q

What is the de Broglie wavelength?

A

The de Broglie wavelength is the wavelength associated with a particle and is inversely proportional to its momentum.

Physics (12 decks)

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