Calculating 'crossed - polarizers' effect
Highlights of the activity
- Have students calculate the probability using the new state vector formalism they have developed.
- Have students realize that the mathematical formalism predicts this 'unexpected' result.
- Have different groups do different compatible calculations so they can share and compare results
Reasons to spend class time on the activity
It is important for students to not see quantum mechanics as nonsensical. This is an ideal simple calculation for students to apply their new formalism to determining the outcome of this experiment. Their intuition for quantum measurements is not yet developed so will likely fail them here, but the math holds up as consistent. This gives a strong foundation for thinking the formalism is useful, as well as giving students simple practice with it.