This is a primer on the mathematic foundation of quantum mechanics. It seeks to introduce the topic in such a way that it is useful to both mathematicians and physicists by providing an extended example of abstract math concepts to…
This is a primer on the mathematic foundation of quantum mechanics. It seeks to introduce the topic in such a way that it is useful to both mathematicians and physicists by providing an extended example of abstract math concepts to work through and by going more in-depth in the math formalism than would normally be covered in a quantum mechanics class. The thesis begins by investigating functional analysis topics such as the Hilbert space and operators acting on them. Then it goes on to the postulates of quantum mechanics which extends the math formalism covered before to physics and works as the foundation for the rest of quantum mechanics.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
Activists seeking to create social change must decide whether to expend more resources trying to change the behavior of individuals or institutions. For example, a climate activist could spend their days urging people to stop flying in airplanes, or they…
Activists seeking to create social change must decide whether to expend more resources trying to change the behavior of individuals or institutions. For example, a climate activist could spend their days urging people to stop flying in airplanes, or they could spend their days urging the government to outlaw excessive flying. Some social change theorists argue that the second tactic is more effective than the first. Are they correct? I use the environmental movement and the animal liberation movement as case studies to examine this question from an empirical perspective. I conclude that while attempts to change individual behavior should not be entirely abandoned, they should be used with caution because of their tendency to distract the public from the need for institutional reform and their tendency to alienate potential allies. Seeing that, for decades, the animal movement’s main strategy has been to urge individuals to change their dietary behavior, this movement would greatly benefit from this knowledge.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
This paper analyzes the history and impact of the double-slit experiment on the world of physics. The experiment was initially created by Thomas Young in the early nineteenth century to prove that light behaved as a wave, and the experiment’s…
This paper analyzes the history and impact of the double-slit experiment on the world of physics. The experiment was initially created by Thomas Young in the early nineteenth century to prove that light behaved as a wave, and the experiment’s findings ended up being foundational to the classical wave theory of light. Decades later, the experiment was replicated once more with electrons instead of light and shockingly demonstrated that electrons possessed a dual nature of behavior in that they acted in some instances as particles and in others as waves. Despite numerous modifications and replications, the dual behavior of electrons has never been definitively explained. Numerous interpretations of quantum mechanics all offer their own explanations of the double-slit experiment’s results. Notably, the Copenhagen Interpretation states that an observer measuring a quantum system, such as the double-slit experiment, causes the electrons to behave classically (i.e. as a particle.) The Many Worlds Interpretation offers that multiple branching worlds come into existence to represent the physical occurrence of all probable outcomes of the double-slit experiment. In these and other interpretations, explanations of the double-slit experiment are key to proving their respective dogmas. The double-slit experiment has historically been very important to the worlds of both classical and quantum physics and is still being modified and replicated to this day. It is clear that it will continue to remain relevant even in the future of physics.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
This thesis attempts to explain Everettian quantum mechanics from the ground up, such that those with little to no experience in quantum physics can understand it. First, we introduce the history of quantum theory, and some concepts that make u…
This thesis attempts to explain Everettian quantum mechanics from the ground up, such that those with little to no experience in quantum physics can understand it. First, we introduce the history of quantum theory, and some concepts that make up the framework of quantum physics. Through these concepts, we reveal why interpretations are necessary to map the quantum world onto our classical world. We then introduce the Copenhagen interpretation, and how many-worlds differs from it. From there, we dive into the concepts of entanglement and decoherence, explaining how worlds branch in an Everettian universe, and how an Everettian universe can appear as our classical observed world. From there, we attempt to answer common questions about many-worlds and discuss whether there are philosophical ramifications to believing such a theory. Finally, we look at whether the many-worlds interpretation can be proven, and why one might choose to believe it.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of entanglement and the particular problems it poses for some physicists. In addition to looking at the history of entanglement and non-locality, this paper will use the Bell Test as…
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of entanglement and the particular problems it poses for some physicists. In addition to looking at the history of entanglement and non-locality, this paper will use the Bell Test as a means for demonstrating how entanglement works, which measures the behavior of electrons whose combined internal angular momentum is zero. This paper will go over Dr. Bell's famous inequality, which shows why the process of entanglement cannot be explained by traditional means of local processes. Entanglement will be viewed initially through the Copenhagen Interpretation, but this paper will also look at two particular models of quantum mechanics, de-Broglie Bohm theory and Everett's Many-Worlds Interpretation, and observe how they explain the behavior of spin and entangled particles compared to the Copenhagen Interpretation.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
This research examines the impact of films about corporate scandals stemming from environmental disasters, specifically the film Dark Waters which details the decade-long toxic chemical release by DuPont. It will also explore what distinguishes these kinds of documentary films as…
This research examines the impact of films about corporate scandals stemming from environmental disasters, specifically the film Dark Waters which details the decade-long toxic chemical release by DuPont. It will also explore what distinguishes these kinds of documentary films as successful and if they result in corporate change. Some films about corporate injustices have been successful in shaping viewers’ opinions and have brought about actual changes in targeted corporations’ behaviors. However, in some instances, even though a film may hurt the public image of the corporation, it does not actually affect the operation of the business. The recently released film Dark Waters details the story of the lawyer and farmer behind the lawsuit that exposed the toxic chemical release by DuPont. The film chronicles how the lawsuit revealed how DuPont ignored and even tried to cover up how its chemicals were poisoning its own workers and the surrounding communities. It remains to be seen if this film will result in DuPont actually changing the ways it does business. In this research, I analyze three documentary films involving corporate scandals with environmental ramifications and determine if any changes were made as a result of the films and what aspects of these films caused them to be successful. My findings indicate that there are many factors that dictate whether or not a film is successful in bringing about change at the corporate level. Some of the factors include the type of corporation, how many people the scandal or environmental disaster affected, and where the incidents took place. Also, certain aspects of the film itself such as being directed or produced by well-known and respected directors and producers as well as employing famous actors can make a difference in the film’s overall impact.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
A one-way function (OWF) is a function that is computationally feasible to compute in one direction, but infeasible to invert. Many current cryptosystems make use of properties of OWFs to provide ways to send secure messages. This paper reviews some…
A one-way function (OWF) is a function that is computationally feasible to compute in one direction, but infeasible to invert. Many current cryptosystems make use of properties of OWFs to provide ways to send secure messages. This paper reviews some simple OWFs and examines their use in contemporary cryptosystems and other cryptographic applications. This paper also discusses the broader implications of OWF-based cryptography, including its relevance to fields such as complexity theory and quantum computing, and considers the importance of OWFs in future cryptographic development
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)