Science

[James Farmelant]

We shouldn't leave out lasers either, the study
of which is a part of what is known as
quantum electronics, since QM provides most
of the theoretical basis for laser physics,
although in practice most work in the
field makes use of a semi-classical
approximation in which the behavior
of laser material is analyzed in terms
of QM while that of the electromagentic
radiation is analyzed in terms of
Maxwell's electrodynamics.

Jim Farmelant

------Original Message------
From: Gordon Fitch <gcf at panix.com>
To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
Sent: December 8, 2000 12:31:22 PM GMT
Subject: Re: Science

"Justin Schwartz" <jkschw at hotmail.com>:
> > But I
> > still
> > know a bit about physics. I would be pretty surprised if there was
> > much in
> > quantum physics that helped ordinary people in any direct way, or
> > hurt them
> > either. --jks

Jim Farmelant:
> There is of course the little matter of nuclear weapons.  Quantum
> mechanics underlies nuclear physics.  I suppose that
> nuclear weapons & nuclear power have had some impact
> on the lives of ordinary people.

QM underlies the behavior of transistors; thus, computers
and the like.  But maybe this is not "direct".