See how light knocks electrons off a metal target, and recreate the experiment that spawned the field of quantum mechanics.
In this video, David explains what a photon is and how to determine the energy of a photon. Created by David SantoPietro.
In this video, David (and surfer Dan) explain how to determine the momentum of a photon.
When do photons, electrons, and atoms behave like particles and when do they behave like waves? Watch waves spread out and interfere as they pass through a double slit, then get detected on a screen as tiny dots. Use quantum detectors to explore how measurements change the waves and the patterns they produce on the screen.
An introduction to Refraction and Snell's Law. Created by Sal Khan.
An introduction to Refraction in Water. Created by Sal Khan.
How do we visualize our environment? What problems must the visual system overcome? Upon completion of the session, you will have a better understanding of human perceptual abilities and how the neural substrates of vision are organized in the brain.
Explores photography as a disciplined way of seeing, investigating landscapes, and expressing ideas. Readings, observations, and photographs form the basis of discussions on landscape, light, detail, place, poetics, and ways of seeing, among other issues. A rudimentary understanding of photography and access to a camera required.
What happens when there's only one hole? Created by David SantoPietro.
Explores photography as a disciplined way of seeing, investigating landscapes, and expressing ideas. Readings, observations, and photographs form the basis of discussions on landscape, light, detail, place, poetics, and ways of seeing, among other issues. A rudimentary understanding of photography and access to a camera required.
Snell's Law Example 1. Created by Sal Khan.
Snell's Law Example 2. Created by Sal Khan.
An introduction to Specular and Diffuse Reflection. Created by Sal Khan.
An introduction to Specular and Diffuse Reflection, part 2. Created by Sal Khan.
This course explores the theory of self-assembly in surfactant-water (micellar) and surfactant-water-oil (micro-emulsion) systems. It also introduces the theory of polymer solutions, as well as scattering techniques, light, x-ray, and neutron scattering applied to studies of the structure and dynamics of complex liquids, and modern theory of the liquid state relevant to structured (supramolecular) liquids.
The transition from high school and home to college and a new living environment can be a fascinating and interesting time, made all the more challenging and interesting by being at MIT. More than recording the first semester through a series of snapshots, this freshman seminar will attempt to teach photography as a method of seeing and a tool for better understanding new surroundings. Over the course of the semester, students will develop a body of work through a series of assignments, and then attempt to describe the conditions and emotions of their new environment in a cohesive final presentation.
Thin film interference occurs when light waves reflecting off the top and bottom surfaces of a thin film interfere with one another. This type of interference is the reason that thin films, such as oil or soap bubbles, form colorful patterns. Created by David SantoPietro.
Let's work out a few details on how thin film interference works. Created by David SantoPietro.
Some examples of using the thin lens equation. Created by David SantoPietro.
Critical incident angle and total internal reflection. Created by Sal Khan.