Title: Teaching physics through experiments in interferometry with photons, particles and waves
Authors: Jizreel Pereira da Silva
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: 49-52
Publication Date: 2026/04/28
Abstract:
This article explores the use of interferometry experiments, focusing on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, as a didactic tool for teaching fundamental concepts of quantum physics, such as wave-particle duality, superposition, and interference. Using the interactive simulation "Interferometer experiments with photons, particles and waves" from the University of St Andrews, we demonstrate how different models - classical particles, electromagnetic waves, and single photons - can be applied to describe the observed phenomena, facilitating the understanding of the distinctions between the classical and quantum views of nature. The comparative analysis of the simulated experimental results serves as a basis for in-depth conceptual discussions in the classroom, making quantum physics more accessible and intuitive for high school and university students.