Students, working in pairs, represent two component complex vectors with their left arms. Through a short series of instructor led prompts, students move their left arms to show how various linear transformations affect each complex component.
1. << Using Arms to Visualize Complex Numbers (MathBits) | Arms Sequence for Complex Numbers and Quantum States | Spin 1/2 with Arms >>
group Small Group Activity
5 min.
format_list_numbered Sequence
accessibility_new Kinesthetic
10 min.
Quantum State Vectors Complex Numbers Spin 1/2 Arms Representation
Students, working in pairs, use their left arms to represent each component in a two-state quantum spin 1/2 system. Reinforces the idea that quantum states are complex valued vectors. Students make connections between Dirac, matrix, and Arms representation.accessibility_new Kinesthetic
10 min.
arms complex numbers Argand diagram complex plane rectangular form exponential form complex conjugate math
Students move their left arm in a circle to trace out the complex plane (Argand diagram). They then explore the rectangular and exponential representations of complex numbers by using their left arm to show given complex numbers on the complex plane. Finally they enact multiplication of complex numbers in exponential form and complex conjugation.group Small Group Activity
10 min.
spin 1/2 eigenstates quantum states
Arms Sequence for Complex Numbers and Quantum States
Students use Tinker Toys to represent each component in a two-state quantum spin system in all three standard bases (\(x\), \(y\), and \(z\)). Through a short series of instructor-led prompts, students explore the difference between overall phase (which does NOT change the state of the system) and relative phase (which does change the state of the system). This activity is optional in the Arms Sequence Arms Sequence for Complex Numbers and Quantum States.accessibility_new Kinesthetic
10 min.
quantum states complex numbers arms Bloch sphere relative phase overall phase
Students, working in pairs, use the Arms representations to represent states of spin 1/2 system. Through a short series of instructor-led prompts, students explore the difference between overall phase (which does NOT distinguish quantum states) and relative phase (which does distinguish quantum states).assignment Homework
Find the rectangular coordinates of the point where the angle \(\frac{5\pi}{3}\) meets the unit circle. If this were a point in the complex plane, what would be the rectangular and exponential forms of the complex number? (See figure.)
assignment Homework
\(z_1=i\),
group Small Group Activity
120 min.
accessibility_new Kinesthetic
10 min.