Arms Sequence for Complex Numbers and Quantum States

“Arms” is an engaging representation of complex numbers. Students use their left arms to geometrically represent numbers in the complex plane (an Argand diagram).

The sequence starts with pure math activities in which students represent a single complex number (using prompts in both rectangular and exponential forms), demonstrate multiplication of complex numbers in exponential form, and act out a number of different linear transformation on pairs of complex numbers. Later activities, relevant to spin 1/2 systems in quantum mechanics, explore overall phases, relative phases, and time dependence.

These activities can be combined and sequenced in many different ways; see the Instructor's Guides for how to introduce the Arms representation the first time you use it.

1. Activity: Using Arms to Visualize Complex Numbers (MathBits)
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.
2. Activity: Using Arms to Visualize Transformations of Complex Two-Component Vectors (MathBits)
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.
3. Activity: Spin 1/2 with Arms
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.
4. Activity: Inner Product of Spin-1/2 System with Arms Optional
Students use their arms to act out two spin-1/2 quantum states and their inner product.
5. Activity: Using Arms to Represent Overall and Relative Phase in Spin 1/2 Systems
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).
6. Activity: Using Tinker Toys to Represent Spin 1/2 Quantum Systems Optional
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.
7. Activity: Using Arms to Represent Time Dependence in Spin 1/2 Systems
Students, working in pairs, use their left arms to demonstrate time evolution in spin 1/2 quantum systems.
8. Activity: Going from Spin States to Wavefunctions
Students review using the Arms representation to represent states for discrete quantum systems and connecting the Arms representation to histogram and matrix representation. The student then extend the Arms representation to begin exploring the continuous position basis.
9. Activity: Time Evolution of a Quantum Particle on a Ring with Arms Optional
Students use their arms to act out stationary and non-stationary states of a quantum particle on a ring.