Laboratory activity for the International Year for Quantum Science and Technology

Published on Oct. 27, 2024, 2:11 p.m.

Inspired by the paradox of the three polarizers, a laboratory activity took place on the 22nd October at the Sebastião e Silva Secondary School (Liceu de Oeiras) using a mobile phone with phyphox installed and a 3D printed plastic kit. In this simple experiment, the students learnt about the effect of adding multiple polarizers in series and how Dirac explained the apparent paradox through quantum mechanics, even though it was intelligible through Malus' law.

The kit used was designed and produced by MEFT students and allowed for a two-hour activity full of curiosity, where wave-particle dualism was widely discussed.