Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects 1st Edition
David Prutchi (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
Shanni Prutchi (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |



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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 provides 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.
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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 orderfrom discoveries of the early twentieth century to new material on entanglementthis 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 fieldhow 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 itfrom 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 orderfrom discoveries of the early twentieth century to new material on entanglementthis 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 fieldhow 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 itfrom 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:
About the authors
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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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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Top reviews from other countries

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.

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.

