Lecture 2: Experimental Facts of Life

MIT 8.04 Quantum Physics I, Spring 2013
Instructor: Allan Adams

In this lecture, Prof. Adams gives a panoramic view on various experimental evidence that indicates the inadequacy of pre-quantum physics. He concludes the lecture with a short discussion on Bell's inequality.

License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

[TheKingBeyondEverything]

It's so good we're living in this age where information is so easily accessible and MIT like Universities are enough generous to provide such valuable lessons for free .

[debadiptobiswas]

What I like about his teaching is that he not only teaches physics but also the history and the drama that revolves around it.

[DaytakTV]

Professor Adams is a phenomenal lecturer!

[nicostadi]

He should have a hand held mic so he can drop it at the end of all lectures...

[sadakoprochichi]

This teacher is incredible! The enthusiasm is so contagious. I wish I could take this class :(

[mitocw]

Fair Use credit updated for the music, video quality upgraded to 1080p.

[d.v.faller]

Wonderful lectures by Prof. Adams. Same topics as when I took 8.04, but delivered with such enthusiasm and with memorable analogies. I admire the way in which he defers using the actual names of certain quantum properties, calling them instead hardness, color, smooth and chunky. This gives the students a way to grasp the concepts, without even mentioning confusing terms such as quanta and spin.
Greatly enjoyed his quick allusion to the original Star Trek and red shirts in Lecture 1.

We all appreciate MIT's generosity and sense of public service in providing these lectures to the world. Years ago some of us paid tuition for them. Now everyone can appreciate the excellent teaching.

[JoeTomasone]

As someone whose school days are long behind him but who has a late passing interest in quantum mechanics, I'm not only grateful for this being online but so badly wish that I had attended MIT and had this gentleman as my professor. He is effortlessly going beyond the basics yet not losing me in the math - which heretofore has been a significant challenge in my self-study journey.

[antikoerper]

Thank God that the Internet exist and the fact that such knowledge is freely accessible through it.

[tayday]

quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, classical mechanics: these lectures are intimidating if you go in expecting to understand the first time you watch. Its much more enjoyable to watch them several times, taking in more meaning with each viewing. Just as interesting as the best shows on netflix. Has more staying power than most good novels.

[erohan]

That is one really passionate human being

[mabdinur]

I like how he dropped such an insight with respect to Bell's inequality not working in Quantum Mechanics and just say's "see you next Tuesday". That's like dropping the mic and walking off the set in a very funny stand up comedy routine ... you know you have to watch the next episode to be satisfied after that bombshell.

[michaeldebellis]

This guy reminds me of Gilbert Strang, also from MIT, who has online recording of his lectures on Linear Algebra, another topic (like quantum mechanics) I never thought I would get but after the first lectures, Strang made so much sense compared to the other books and materials I tried to understand that I really understood it and to my surprise I stuck with the lectures to the end including doing homework problems from one of Strang’s books. We’ll see how long I make it in this one, this is harder than Linear Algebra, but after the intro lectures I already feel like I understand some of these concepts in a way that many pop science books and videos never achieved.

[meetghelani]

I'm an undergrad in my final year of my Bachelor of Science, i've almost completed my taste of the Quantum Mechanics i'm gonna get but i love how this guy teaches and will be here until the end!

[alexolah]

This dude is a awesome lecturer, I failed math twice in highschool but the way he explains things makes it so easy to grasp

[KingOfTheDerp]

He's a super dope lecturer who goes at a great pace, explains nuisances very well, and is very entertaining to watch. Thanks for uploading these!

[oliverandm]

Allan Adams encapsulates what a good teacher is! The enthusiasm, the ease of communication, the humor, and that fucking outfit! Love him!

[Constyish]

Incredible stuff! Thanks MIT for putting it online, thanks prof Adams for these great, passionate and so well put lectures!!

[jonchicoine]

I don’t remember my professors having anywhere near this level of enthusiasm… love this guy. (Once the math kicks in, in the next video, I’m in over my head)

[Re-blsr]

I've never taken a QP class in my life but Im fascinated by this. Whats even more fascinating is that I can actually understand most of it. 👏 to this chaps enthusiasm — goes a lomg way. Saved some for larer viewing.