Introduction to Probability ( minutes)

Handout: spspin1guide.pdf (pages 4-8)

  • Quantum mechanics is inherently probabilistic. That is, you can only calculate the probability that something is going to happen.
  • Using the probability sheet, show some of the essential statistical quantities students will calculate in the course. In particular, focus on discussing the probability of a result, the mean expected result of an experiment, and the standard deviation.
  • Many student do not see that finding the mean value of a group of experiments ( in the sense of adding up many results and dividing by the number of experiments) is the same thing as the expectation value of the experiments (in the sense of a weighted average). A great way to do this is to ask everyone in the class what their age is, write the values on the board, and calculate both the mean and the expectation value of the ages on the board, showing that they are the same.
  • Focusing on using a non-quantum mechanical example makes focusing on the math easier; this is the perfect time to use a more easily understood example for referencing later in the course.

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