CHED 406 |
| In this talk, I shall analyse the problems associated with the teaching of quantum mechanics to chemists. First, I shall identify the core issues, which are largely related to the heavy mathematical content of the subject and the counter-intuitive apects of some of its notions. However, there are various other issues, such as the nature of interpretation and the fact that not all the concepts are visualizable accurately, if at all. I shall concentrate on these difficulties and give examples. Then, with the difficulties established, I shall attempt to identify the way forward. First, we need to identify the core concepts, especially those relevant to chemistry. These include duality, superposition, and the time-evolution of wavefunctions. I shall identify what I regard as central and what I regard as inessential. With the core concepts identified, we are in a position to identify the mathematics needed to treat them and the level at which the mathematics should be presented. These techniques include a little linear algebra, a little knowledge of the nature of differential equations, and a little intgration. Finally, I shall consider how all these aspects of the subject can be made palatable, which will include thinking about the nature of the Schrödinger equation as a curvature machine, seeking ways to visualize the unvisualizable, and driving rapidly toward useful computations. |
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Teaching Quantum Concepts in Chemistry
1:30 PM-4:45 PM, Tuesday, 12 September 2006 San Francisco Marriott -- Salon 6, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |