Lecture 4: Expectations, Momentum, and Uncertainty

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

In this lecture, Prof. Adams begins with a round of multiple choice questions. He then moves on to introduce the concept of expectation values and motivate the fact that momentum is given by a differential operator with Noether's theorem.

License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

[SoulSnatcherSeven]

I’m so glad this series was created before he quit teaching this class. Wouldn’t want any other Parasocial Professor.

[jasminecruickshank]

Let’s take a moment to thank whoever wrote these incredibly accurate subtitles

[joaquinledesma]

''Whatever state you are in, we will always love you'' Can not fit more perfectly

[TheBobathon]

Causal processes in QM lectures: we see the unintentional summoning of pirates at 1:07:50 ; they materialise four minutes later: 1:12:00 :)

[accident_prone]

This Professor is awesome!
Good lecture series.

Thanks MIT for offering this quality content for free!!!

[ajitharidas]

Thank you, MIT for making such lectures available free for everyone.

[teddychoi]

19:39 Love the moment when you get to see all the little physicist in the making practice their hand waving arguments

[JA-itbg]

Did anyone else almost cry at his enthusiasm when declaring that (hbar/i)d/dx is momentum?

[StainedShuriken]

I would love to have Allan as my instructor. He's so excited about physics and he's friendly. I've seen some talks that he has done as well, like with TED, and he's such an engaging speaker.

[EnchantedGardenGnome]

I just want to say I've never loved a teacher as much as professor Adams. He's SO good!!! His enthusiasm makes all the difference. Thanks for teaching!!

[northhamptonshire]

Allan Adams... You're my favorite

[dutchboss]

i like watching and would love taking his classes..   i find his lectures easy to understand and i like how he does not write cursive script on the board.  very cool how hes always giving his audience positive reinforcement when they ask questions.. that and his happy demeanor makes learning much easier

[KH-kpgm]

56:03 I remember when I was first learning QM 10 yrs ago, I used to complain that the way of "deriving" operator p was definitely bullshit. Now this lecture gives me the salvation of my soul. Thank you, Pf. Adams.

[Happyworld]

Just loving this course especially because of Adams's way of teaching. I also liked clicker session and gave all correct answers.
It's my request to ocw community, if possible please give the recitation videos as well. It helps in solving problems and assignments.
Thanks for the great work MIT. you are helping lots of interested students.

[HT-rqpi]

The lecturers at MIT really are amazing.

[Jop_pop]

This is literally the most clear and perfect teaching I have ever seen

[josemanuelgomez]

Big thanks to Allan Adams and all the teams that make this possible.
Besides the business sense of giving out university lectures for free, the fact is that it is contributing to the spread of scientific knowledge, to anybody interested, giving opportunities to talented people regardless of country, level of income... And that's something that speaks high of the MIT, its mission and its people.

[timothyholloway]

Solid...gold! I wish I was in that lecture theatre.

[SarthakGupta]

1:19:27
Pirate guy: "whatever STATE you're in.."
Prof Allan Adams: * laughs hysterically *


Love the way of teaching, and the way he is in general

[craigfowler]

Fantastically interesting.

He brings it alive with his knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humour.

Top draw dude