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Schrödinger’s Chef: Quantum superposition and the result-less-ness of unperformed experiments

Joseph Lomax | Wed, 05/21/2025 - 18:16

A pre-dinner conversation leads to a different way of thinking about quantum superposition.  A meal from an idiosyncratic chef is not defined until “the reveal.”  Discussion of this leads to the statement by Asher Peres that “unperformed experiments have no results.”  Discussion of Peres’ statement, then contrasting versions of resultlessness in both macroscopic and quantum realms, leads to classroom discussion.  This, hopefully, creates an easier and deeper understanding of quantum mechanics.

Amount and rate of heat transfer using iron spheres and liquid nitrogen

Dean Campbell | Tue, 06/04/2024 - 11:00

When iron spheres at room temperature are added to liquid nitrogen, the nitrogen boils as heat is transferred in from the iron. The amount of liquid nitrogen boiled depends on the amount of heat transferred, which depends on the mass of the iron added. However, the rate at which liquid nitrogen boils depends on the surface area of the iron in contact with the liquid nitrogen. These phenomena can be studied with experiments which measure the mass lost by the boiling liquid nitrogen.

Ice Clouds 2.0

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 01/16/2024 - 15:12

What is some of the chemistry involved in the formation of ice clouds when boiling water is thrown into icy air?

Solar Eclipse Trip Recap

Dean Campbell | Mon, 05/01/2023 - 17:26

A trip to see the 2024 solar eclipse provided the opportunity to explore ideas associated with sulfur in petroleum, sunlight intensity measurements, laser interference patterns from eclipse glasses, and large-scale light emission from excited hydrogen.

Writing your PAEMST Addendum

Ariel Serkin | Mon, 03/13/2023 - 15:05

Congratulations on becoming a PAEMST finalist. Now what? After the grueling application process, you realize that you now have to write an addendum. Here are some tidbits to help you navigate this hectic week.