Eigenvector Decomposition

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to help students perform eigenvector decompositions.
2. Students work in small groups to break one of the spin matrices (for spin-1) into a sum of projection operators.
3. The whole class wrap-up discussion emphasizes the need for both the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors in the decomposition.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

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Reflections

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Instructor's Guide

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