Can someone who knows Quantum Mechanics tell me if this video is a good intro?

MattA147

Hi guys, I have recently come across a video on YouTube which gives you a brief intro to Quantum Mechanics/Physics. Can someone tell me if this video is accurate? Could someone suggest some introductory reading or resources for learning QM? Is it even accessible to a 15 year old? Should I just wait till uni to learn QM? The video I mentioned is provided in the link below. :) Thanks for any feedback and advice in advance. :)

MattA147

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKH7g9axXGM

jedishrfu

he explained it well without math although if you were learning if for the first time you might get different ideas.

Pro Lewin's lectures might be better at teaching an introduction:

http://videolectures.net/mit801f99_lewin_lec34/

and Prof Binney has a whole QM course available online:

http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/people/james-binney

DiracPool

Lewin is always a good choice, if for no other reason than his enthusiasm for the subject I think is just what a high schooler needs to get excited about the subject.

Binney is great too, but way to advanced for a 15 year old, unless he's some kind of prodigy. His class relys on an accompanying linear algebra course which he mentions in the first few lectures, and introducing QM using Dirac notation, as Binney does, is more likely to turn most newbie's off than anything else.

The Brightstorm guy in the video Matt posted is great for all areas of physics as an intro. There are many other of sort of "amateur" presentations of QM on you tube also, some better than others. The key is to keep hunting around until you find someone who you feel is talking your language and at the level you can understand.

Demystifier

Yes it is.

I would suggest you to read popular science books on quantum mechanics, such as
A. Rae, Quantum Physics Illusion or Reality?

grzz

I found 'The Quantum World' by John Polkinghorn to be a very good introduction to quantum mechanics.

K^2

Not all of it. His statements about Schrodinger's Equation and quantization are the most problematic ones. In contrast, his explanation of probability distribution is pretty good, all things considering.

As far as being a good introduction, not if you actually want to learn it. Best introduction for learning QM is a textbook on QM.

micky_gta

Don't forget this one to get your juices flowing =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPeprQ7oGc

jedishrfu

Nice animation. Did you notice the "What the Bleep" poster in the background on the wall?

Evo

"What the bleep" is a crackpot movie banned here.

jedishrfu

Thanks, Evo. I know that. I just thought it detracted a bit from the animated video.

Jazzdude

Interestingly, I see it the other way around. I find his statements about quantization mostly accurate and his explanation of measurement and probability problematic.

So what do you consider to be incorrect about his explanation of quantization?