In this experiment, you’ll observe how light has properties of both waves and particles. You’ll also make connections between what you observe and how quantum computers work.
Recommended Age
This activity is recommended for students in grades K-5.
Demonstrations of this activity are acceptable for any K-12 student.
Estimated time
This activity takes approximately 35 minutes to complete.
Pre-requisites
Students should be walked through the slides in the Facilitation Guide and read the Introduction to Light and Quantum Computing information sheet prior to the activity.
Learning Goals
- Define polarization.
- Describe why some materials, like cellophane, affect the polarization of different colors of light.
- Connect the phenomenon of polarization to quantum communications.
Other Materials
This activity kit was developed with funds from the NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN), with special thanks to the UW-Madison Department of Physics.