YEAR ONE HUNDRED REFOUNDATION: A DIDACTIC PROPOSAL FOR A CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

In the late nineteenth century, classical physics seemed unassailable, firmly grounded in Newton’s mechanics for macroscopic bodies and Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory for radiation. This confidence was bolstered by the technological successes that marked a significant phase of the Industrial Revolution. However, beneath this facade, classical physics faced emerging difficulties, struggling to accommodate certain experimental facts within its theoretical framework. These contradictions hinted at the need for new approaches, ultimately leading to the development of quantum mechanics in the mid-1920s. Early attempts to explain microscopic phenomena evolved into a comprehensive theory through contributions from numerous physicists. Quantum mechanics addressed empirical anomalies that classical physics could not, marking a significant scientific breakthrough. The development of quantum mechanics represented and still represents today a remarkable scientific journey, important not only historically but also culturally and educationally. It revolutionized our understanding of reality, making it a fundamental aspect of modern physics. However, despite its significance, quantum mechanics remains largely absent from people’s cultural background, often perceived as mysterious and incomprehensible. Integrating quantum mechanics into people’s general knowledge is thus crucial, starting with students’ education. This research project, developed within the physics education group at the University of Milan, aims to prioritize quantum mechanics in physics education. It analyzes current teaching methods, identifies their shortcomings, and proposes an effective educational reconstruction of the theory, including its historical development. The goal is to design a didactic approach for teaching quantum mechanics in high schools and non-physics degree programs, configured as both a significant and formative educational experience as well as a cultural framework.