Experiments

Key experiments and empirical findings in modern physics, particularly quantum physics

[in progress …]

Tales of microscopes and telescopes

Tales of condensed matter

Tales of lasers

Tales of “big science” observatories (ground and space-based): “As telescopic technology advances, so does our view of the universe.”

Tales of cosmology

  • ~100 years ago
  • after 1998 (accelerated cosmic expansion)
    • dark matter and dark energy1
    • the 5% solution — ordinary matter and life
  • macro/micro visualization
  • implications
    • science literacy
    • public policy

[1] Wiki: The standard model of cosmology indicates that the total mass–energy of the universe contains 4.9% ordinary matter, 26.8% dark matter and 68.3% dark energy.


A story of everything and nothing

Experiments that demonstrated Newtonian (classical) mechanics was incomplete

Experiments that demonstrated that photons (EM quanta) are waves (as well as other “matter” quanta)

Experiments that confirmed Einstein’s theory of relativity

Experiments that demonstrated quantum behavior

  • randomness
  • tunneling
  • entanglement (non-locality)
  • quantum vacuum

Future experiments