ma Schedule for 24.111, Fall 2007 This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Readings marked with * are optional. Unless otherwise noted, do the reading before the lecture for which it is assigned. lec date topic, reading ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 9/6 Introductory Lecture. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1: Mathematical and Physical Background. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 9/11 Overview of some odd phenomena. 3 9/13 The mathematical formalism and its orthodox interpretation. READ: Albert, ch. 1, ch. 2. Hughes, introduction. *Hughes, chapter 1.1-1.4; 1.9-1.14. 4 9/18 Continued. 5 9/20 Continued. 6 9/25 Continued. *Homework 1 due.* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 2: Nonlocality. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 9/27 The EPR argument and Bohr's reply. READ: Albert, 61-66. *EPR, "Can Quantum Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?" Bohr, "Can Quantum Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?" 8 10/2 Continued. 9 10/4 Bell's Theorem, I. READ: Albert, 66-72. *Mermin, "Quantum Mysteries for Anyone." 10 10/11 Bell's theorem, II. READ: Bell, "Bertlmann's socks and the nature of reality." 11 10/16 Continued. 12 10/18 Relativistic Spacetime. *Homework 2 due.* READ: Maudlin, Chapter 2. 13 10/23 Bell's theorem, superluminal causation, and special relativity. READ: Maudlin, Chapter 3. Maudlin, Chapter 5, 125-132; 135-139; 154-158. 14 10/25 Continued. 15 10/30 Continued. 16 11/1 Holism and Reductionism *Homework 3 due.* READ: Maudlin, "Part and Whole in Quantum Mechanics." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 3: The Measurement Problem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 11/6 Introduction to the measurement problem. Collapse theories. READ: Albert, ch. 4, ch. 5 to p.92. 18 11/8 Can we experimentally determine when collapse occurs? 19 11/13 Quantum Mechanics and Mind-Body Dualism. READ: Wigner, "Remarks on the Mind-Body Question." 20 11/15 GRW. *Homework 4 due.* READ: Albert, ch 5, 92-end. 21 11/20 Continued. 22 11/27 "No Hidden Variables" Proofs. READ: "The Kochen-Specker Theorem." 23 11/29 Bohmian mechanics. READ: Albert, ch. 7. *Tumulka, "Understanding Bohmian Mechanics: A Dialogue." *"Lost Causes in Physics: Bohmian Mechanics." 24 12/4 The many worlds interpretation. *Homework 5 due.* READ: DeWitt, "Quantum Mechanics and Reality." Lewis, "How Many Lives has Schrodinger's Cat?" 25 12/6 Continued. READ: Albert, 126-133. 26 12/11 The many minds interpretation. *Homework 6 due.*