I've been inspired by Dr. Adequate's series on Geology (an amazing thread), so I would just like to propose a similar introduction to quantum mechanics. I would plan to begin around May this year. I know it is pretty early to be proposing this, but I plan to treat it like a proper course, similar enough to those I actually lecture, so I would need some time to prepare.
The only mathematics involved will be matrices and vectors.
EDIT: Vectors and matrices form the subject known as linear algebra, the amount of linear algebra necessary for the course will be explained in a separate pdf/post. To learn linear algebra you only need to know what a number is!
Edited by Son Goku, : Little details on the mathematics.
I think this is a great idea, especially seeing as how you would be teaching us! Do you want me to move this to a particular forum now, or shall we wait until May?
A good idea. And then when you're done we should turn it into a wikibook like I did with mine, so as to reach a wider audience --- I'll help if you like.
I would plan to begin around May this year. I know it is pretty early to be proposing this, but I plan to treat it like a proper course, similar enough to those I actually lecture, so I would need some time to prepare.
You don't have to prepare the whole thing before you start, do you? I didn't.
What sort of system would you be trying to implement? One more of a textbook style where questions/comments are made in another thread? Or one more of an open style where questions/comments are made directly to your posts? (I just foresee a whack of questions... from me!!!)
Or a comment like this:
The only mathematics involved will be matrices and vectors.
If there are any programmers who don't know these math terms... there are some simple programming analogies:
A matrix is a 2 dimensional array. A vector is a specific type of matrix... a 1 dimensional array. A scalar is a single value (like a regular DINT or REAL, or something).
A matrix (generally) is made up of a bunch of vectors. A vector (generally) is made up of a bunch of scalars.
The terms, however, are designed for geometry and geometric relationships. Because of this, the positions of the arrays are generally specific for a single identification.
That is, a "force" vector could be defined as a single array with the first value representing the magnitude and the second value representing the direction. If so... then the first value would always be representing magnitudes and the second value would always be representing directions, especially when comparing this vector to any other "force" vector.
The values in arrays used in the context of vectors and matrices would never be used in any sort of data shifting (like a FIFO or FILO where the values are moved from one end of the array to the other...) the information in the specific, defined locations is key.
Edited by Stile, : Scalar? I damned near killed 'er!!
A scaler is that pointy instrument the dentist uses to hack at your gums before telling you 'your gums are bleeding'.
Scalar is the term you mean to use.
Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him. Galileo Galilei
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. Frederick Douglass
I don't think a separate peanut gallery is a good idea. If someone has a question, then the answer should be in-thread for the general edification of the readers.
In my own thread I also broke forum etiquette (as I announced I would at the start) by going back and changing posts in response to comments.
Thanks for the offer, seems like a good idea. Hopefully I'll be able to do it myself, as I wouldn't like to bother you, but there's probably subtleties to the process I don't know about, so I might need your help!
I'm preparing it in advance, since every time I write a university course, only at the end do I realise exactly when certain ideas should be introduced. My "lesson by lesson" version wouldn't be as good.
Looking forward to this Son Goku. I absolutely love physics, but my knowledge of quantum mechanics is not very vast. I only took one semester of it in university when I was studying electrical engineering.
Oddly enough, I think I might have been smarter before I took the course. Trying to wrap my head around some of those concepts or work through Schrodinger's equation might have actually broken part of my brain.
It did eventually cause me to get a cat however...
A cat, a steamer trunk, a Geiger counter and a vile of poison...?
Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him. Galileo Galilei
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. Frederick Douglass
Do you want me to move this to a particular forum now, or shall we wait until May?
™ Version 4.0 Beta
