1. a) Choose one of the following and write a one page explanation. Which scient
ID: 2110836 • Letter: 1
Question
1.
a) Choose one of the following and write a one page explanation.
Which scientists made the most important contributions to the development of quantum mechanics?
What kinds of experiments did they conduct?
What sorts of discoveries did they make?
In what ways did later discoveries build on earlier ones?
What experiments and discoveries led to the development of the theory of relativity?
What impact did Einstein’s theories have on later scientific thought?
b) Choose one of the following and write a one page explanation. Must relate to the importance of relativity and quantum mechanics to the development of various technologies.
How has quantum computing moved the computer age forward?
What are some of the applications of the theory of relativity and/or quantum mechanics in medicine?
Why were quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity necessary to the development of the atomic bomb?
Explanation / Answer
The observation that the motion of the earth in orbit had no effect on the measured speed of light. A very strange result. It was impossible for that to be true IF space and time were unchanging (absolute). Scientists were sure something was wrong with their data or their experimental setup bit they could not figure out what
Einstein's insight: What if the speed of light is absolute and time and space could change to make that true? He worked it out for all the physical quantities and his results matched what had been observed. Result: The Theory of Special Relativity
Relativity started with its father, Galileo. He thought while traveling in a ship, in a closed cabin, that there was no physical experiment he could perform in the cabin, that would tell him how fast the ship was moving.
A few hundred years later, Einstein postulated that the local speed of light was also a constant, and then proceeded to apply consistent logic (mathematics) to infer what someone else would measure, based on our local measurements, and our measurements of the relative speed / direction of the "someone". This became the Special Theory of Relativity, and it was purely based on thought experiments, and held up to Nature later.
(b)Quantum mechanics is used to understand and design semiconductors, which are used to make computers. Which are used pretty much everywhere.
PET (positron emission tomography) scanners use a lot of electronics, as do MRI scanners, automated drug dispensers etc.
Quantum mechanics is essential to the understanding and design of the SQUID detector used in low-field MRI. One application of nanotechnology in medicine currently being developed involves employing nanoparticles to deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific types of cells (such as cancer cells). Particles are engineered so that they are attracted to diseased cells, which allows direct treatment of those cells. This technique reduces damage to healthy cells in the body and allows for earlier detection of disease.
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