Entangle me! A game to demonstrate the principles of quantum mechanics
We introduce a game to illustrate the principles of quantum mechanics using a qubit (or spin-first) approach, where students can experience and discover its puzzling features first-hand. Students play the role of particles and scientists. Scientists unravel underlying rules and properties by collecting and analysing data that are generated by observing particles that act according to the given rules. We show how this allows one to illustrate quantum states and their stochastic behavior under measurements as well as quantum entanglement. In addition, we use this approach to illustrate and discuss decoherence and a modern application of quantum features, namely, quantum cryptography. We have tested the game in the class and report on the results that we obtained.We introduce a game to illustrate the principles of quantum mechanics using a qubit (or spin-first) approach, where students can experience and discover its puzzling features first-hand. Students play the role of particles and scientists. Scientists unravel underlying rules and properties by collecting and analysing data that are generated by observing particles that act according to the given rules. We show how this allows one to illustrate quantum states and their stochastic behavior under measurements as well as quantum entanglement. In addition, we use this approach to illustrate and discuss decoherence and a modern application of quantum features, namely, quantum cryptography. We have tested the game in the class and report on the results that we obtained.