Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects 1st Edition

by David Prutchi (Author), Shanni Prutchi (Author)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This unique book can also be highly recommended as supplementary reading, even in the absence of actual ‘hands-on’ participation in the many projects described.” (Contemporary Physics, 6 December 2013

From the Inside Flap

Build an intuitive understanding of the principles behind quantum mechanics through practical construction and replication of original experiments

With easy-to-acquire, low-cost materials and basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry, Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects takes readers step by step through the process of re-creating scientific experiments that played an essential role in the creation and development of quantum mechanics.

Presented in near chronological order—from discoveries of the early twentieth century to new material on entanglement—this book includes question- and experiment-filled chapters on:

Light as a Wave
Light as Particles
Atoms and Radioactivity
The Principle of Quantum Physics
Wave/Particle Duality
The Uncertainty Principle
Schrödinger (and his Zombie Cat)
Entanglement

From simple measurements of Planck's constant to testing violations of Bell's inequalities using entangled photons, Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects not only immerses readers in the process of quantum mechanics, it gives them insight into the history of the field—how the theories and discoveries apply to our world not only today, but also tomorrow.

By immersing readers in groundbreaking experiments that can be performed at home, school, or in the lab, this first-ever, hands-on book successfully demystifies the world of quantum physics for all who seek to explore it—from science enthusiasts and undergrad physics students to practicing physicists and engineers.

From the Back Cover

Build an intuitive understanding of the principles behind quantum mechanics through practical construction and replication of original experiments

With easy-to-acquire, low-cost materials and basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry, Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects takes readers step by step through the process of re-creating scientific experiments that played an essential role in the creation and development of quantum mechanics.

Presented in near chronological order—from discoveries of the early twentieth century to new material on entanglement—this book includes question- and experiment-filled chapters on:

Light as a Wave
Light as Particles
Atoms and Radioactivity
The Principle of Quantum Physics
Wave/Particle Duality
The Uncertainty Principle
Schrödinger (and his Zombie Cat)
Entanglement

From simple measurements of Planck's constant to testing violations of Bell's inequalities using entangled photons, Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects not only immerses readers in the process of quantum mechanics, it gives them insight into the history of the field—how the theories and discoveries apply to our world not only today, but also tomorrow.

By immersing readers in groundbreaking experiments that can be performed at home, school, or in the lab, this first-ever, hands-on book successfully demystifies the world of quantum physics for all who seek to explore it—from science enthusiasts and undergrad physics students to practicing physicists and engineers.

About the Author

DAVID PRUTCHI, PhD, is Vice President of Engineering at Impulse Dynamics. An adept do-it-yourselfer, he is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge experimental physics within the grasp of fellow science buffs. In addition to being the lead author of Design and Development of Medical Electronic Instrumentation (Wiley), he has published over 30 scientific publications and holds over 70 patents.

SHANNI R. PRUTCHI is a high-school junior at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. An avid science and engineering enthusiast, she conducts research with her father in the areas of radio astronomy and quantum physics.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley; 1st edition (February 7, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1118140664
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1118140666
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 0.65 x 9.2 inches

Customer Reviews:
34 ratings

About the authors

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David Prutchi
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David Prutchi received his Ph.D. in Engineering from Tel-Aviv University in 1994, and then conducted post-doctoral research at Washington University. His area of expertise is the development of active implantable medical devices, and is currently the CTO and Executive Vice President of Engineering at Impulse Dynamics.
Dr. Prutchi has published over thirty papers and holds over eighty patents. He is the authors of the book “Design and Development of Medical Electronic Instrumentation - A Practical Perspective of the Design, Construction and Test of Medical Devices,” "Exploring Quantum Physics Through Hands-On Projects," "Exploring Ultraviolet Photography: Bee Vision, Forensic Imaging, and Other NearUltraviolet Adventures with Your DSLR," and "High-Power Near-Infrared Light Treatments for Depression, Dementia, and Other Brain Disorders."
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Shanni Prutchi
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Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
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Customer reviews

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Top reviews from the United States

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sk8ermeb

Can't actually see the schematics easily.

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2020

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So I am an electrical engineer. I got this to build a high voltage power supply. On both my kindle and the pc I can actually see the schematics they are too poor quality. Additionally it appears the zoom option is disabled. I have no idea how these other reviews are boasting how this is used for experiments when you can't see the schematics.

3 people found this helpful

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John G. Bennett

cool book, advanced fun

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2019

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This book is crammed with serious experiments recreating important moments in physics. Some of them can set you back some serious money for the equipment, but the author is generally creative in simplifying as much as possible and the explanatory texts are generally clear. Even if you will not actually perform any of these experiments the book is an interesting read if you appreciate creativity as well as science.

One person found this helpful

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Chris Moller

The Best Amateur Science Book On the Market

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2012

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This book is the best amateur science book available today. It covers a difficult subject with such mastery that the authors make it seem easy. Much effort was put forth in finding ways to make the experiments affordable. A complete listing of web sites offering surplus equipment is provided. I have not done all the experiments listed, but the ones that I have done work exactly as described. Most of the topics of quantum physics are covered in historical order, so the reader gets a sense of how the story unfolded. Many of the great and now classical experiments are included from the wave-particle duality of light through the strange phenomenon of entanglement.

Thru this book we all have a way to introduce the beauty of the micro world to our children and to ourselves. It is important to add that this was not achieved by skipping the hard parts. David and Shanni Prutchi have found a way to make difficult ideas simple and effective without sacrificing the truth. This elegance is the heart of science itself.

13 people found this helpful

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Jabberwocky

David land Shanni Prutchi did a great job covering the mysterious world of quantum mechanics

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2017

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This was an expensive paperback book but considering the comprehensive nature of the physics experiments it was worth the cost.
David land Shanni Prutchi did a great job covering the mysterious world of quantum mechanics.
This is a hands on book providing enough informational resources for building the many included projects.
Sometimes I wished I could get more detailed pictures of their finished projects
(e.g. the Gunnplexers).

Helpful

A great source for out-of-the-ordinary science fair ideas

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2012

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I bought this book to read myself and to share with my high-school daughter. The book is very accessible. It's easy to read. It seems to have a good theory to practice ratio.

We haven't tried any experiments yet, but my son (who's in 5th grade) wants to do a modified (math free) version of the double slit experiment for his science fair. So, the book does have appeal and practice into grade school.

This is a great source for ideas. It's a good general read. It doesn't seem to require anything other than an algebra 1 background. It's heartily recommended.

4 people found this helpful

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TK

Genius of the book is in the many experiements

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2012

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It's an expensive book, but it is interesting, fun and inspiring. The genius of this book is in the many experiments and their explanation. Even if the reader never performed any of the experiments they go a long ways towards clarifying Quantum Mechanics (and a number of other areas of physics) beyond the average textbook and providing an intuitive "feel" for the subject. A good book.
However, I have two complaints. The cover of the book describes the experiments as being "relatively inexpensive" and that they use "readily available" parts. Although this is true for the majority of the experiments it's not true for some of them. A few of them would require quite a bit of luck locating components even if you could afford them. The other complaint is with the publisher because even though the book is a quality product the illustrations are very small. I literally needed to keep a magnifying glass with me in order to read the illustrations and I have average eyesight.
Nevertheless, this book delivers and if the author were to write a similar book on another topic I would be one of the first in line to buy it.

16 people found this helpful

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Dean Radin

Great for DIY quantum mechanics

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2012

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If you find that lots of equations make your head hurt, but you do like to tinker with genuinely mind-bending aspects of the physical world, then this book is a great way to dive head first into the quantum realm. While this is DIY, it is not for beginners. Some experience with electronics is necessary to get the most of this workbook. But it's well worth it for those who like to test reality rather than take someone else's word for it.

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D. Cohen

A great and rare resource for the serious amateur scientist.

Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2015

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This is an excellent book for intermediate to advanced science experiments. The science is explained very well, and it's not too hard too follow. Some of the experiments require expensive equipment, but this REAL science - on the same par with the former Scientific American articles.

Some of the experiments could be dangerous - there's high vacuum, and high voltage. This book is not for the immature.

I would not recommend this for beginners; there are plenty of kid science resources out there. If you're ready for some real science, this book is for you. It conducts experiments that few others do, and I would consider it for high school and beyond. I am grateful to the authors for doing a fine job.

As an adult amateur scientist, this is perfect for me.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Tobias S.O.

Not really thorough, but a good idea!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2014

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Was hoping that it would go through all the standard textbook examples and relate them to experimental counterparts. I.e. examples of approximation of Quantum wells, dots, harmonic oscillators in real life experiments.

It might be unfair to give it three, because it might not be what the book promises, just what I was hoping for.

Still, it's an interesting and entertaining book, going through the broad chronological development of QM, with interesting high school like experiments.

One person found this helpful

Thomas Frischbier

Ausgezeichnet - geniale Projekte

Reviewed in Germany on June 24, 2017

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David Prutchi hat sich in diesem Buch wirklich überlegt, wie man quantenphysikalische Phänomene "in der Garage" experimentell untersuchen kann. Mir ist abgesehen von diesem Buch nichts ähnliches bekannt.

Allein die Tatsache, dass folgende Expiremnte im Selbstbau möglich sind, finde ich genial, wie etwa:

- Detektieren von einzelnen (!) Photonen
- Aufbau und Realisierung des Mach-Zehnder Inferometers zum Nachweis von Quantenphänomenen
- Konstruktion einer Radarpistole, wie sie die Polizei verwendet
- ... und vieles mehr.

Die Experimente sind aufbauend angeordnet und gut beschrieben. Einziger Nachteil ist vielleicht, dass die Photos und Skizzen sehr klein sind, man würde sich - auch für den Preis des Buches - wünschen, dass diese größer bzw. in Farbe sind. Allerdings finden sich auf dem Blog des Autors einige dieser Darstelungen in guter Qualität, was dieses Manko teilweise kompensiert.

Folgendes sei noch gesagt:

- Das Bauteile für die Experimente sind durch Ebay, Alexpress & Co. und eine geschickte Auswahl der Komponenten leistbar, aber ein gewisses Budget sollte man schon haben. Zur Realisierung aller Experimente ist man sicherlich im 4-stelligen Euro-Bereich.
- Man sollte für die ganzen Bauteile auch Platz zu Hause einkalkulieren, da sammelt sich schon so manches an
- Ein gewisses Maß an Grundkenntnis mit Elektronik und handwerklichem Geschick ist schon Voraussetzung.
- Ich selbst habe die Experimente (noch) nicht aufgebaut, d.h. über eventuelle spezielle Tücken kann ich keine Auskunt geben
- Auf mathematische Erklärungen und Formeln wird großteils verzichtet - gut einerseits, weil einem der "Formelfriedhof" erspart bleibt, schade andererseits, weil der eine oder andere vielleicht doch gerne eine mathematische Darstellung hätte.

Mein Fazit: Exzellent, spannend, die Photos könnten größer sein, mehr (optionale) Mathematik wäre auch fein.

Eines ist jedefnalls sicher: Der Lerneffekt bei der Lektüre und beim Aufbau dieser Experimente, sowie der Spaß dabei ist immens - eine unbedingte Empfehlung für jeden, der sich experimentell an das spannende Thema Quantenphysik annähern möchte.

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Giancarlo Sica

Va bene solo per un corso universitario

Reviewed in Italy on February 14, 2013

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Così com'è, il libro è un oggetto inutile tranne che nele mani di un fisico esperto in esperienze laboratoriali nell'ambito della meccanica quantistica e, soprattutto, dotato di un raffinatissimo ed attrezzatissimo laboratorio dove - con una spesa non inferiore a 20 - 25.000 euro - sarà possibile compiere gli esperimenti "alla portata di tutti" come citato dall'autore...

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Derek Barton

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2016

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Very Satisfied