"Quantum Analogs"

The driving principle behind the Quantum Analogs apparatus from TeachSpin, Inc, is that there

is an analogy between the mathematical equations for the Schrodinger wave equation in quantum

mechanics and the wave equations for sound waves in air. This allows students to perform

experiments in which they measure acoustic analogs to the behavior of quantum mechanical

systems in 1-dimension and 3-dimensions. In so doing, they gain valuable insight, intuition, and

understanding about the predictions of quantum mechanics. The Quantum Analogs uses sound

waves in aluminum cylinders and spheres to model quantum states in semiconductors, hydrogen

atoms, and diatomic hydrogen molecules. Numerous investigations can be performed with this

apparatus, including experiments on standing waves in an air column, which is analogous to a 1-

dimensional particle in a box and illustrates the idea of band gaps in solids. Another set of

experiments involves standing waves in a spherical cavity, which has analogous behaviors to the

hydrogen atom. An additional set of experiments uses two spheres which is analogous to a

diatomic hydrogen molecule.