Ch. 08 Quantum Mechanics

Albert Einstein

proposed that light energy must come in packets, called quanta or photons.

Niels Bohr

developed a model for the hydrogen atom to explain how the structure of the atom changes when it undergoes energy transitions.

Louis de Broglie

proposed that particles could have wavelike character, and predicted that the wavelength of a particle was inversely proportional to its momentum.

Max Planck

discovered quantum theory, and introduced a fundamental constant.

Werner Heisenberg

stated that the product of the uncertainties in both the position and velocity of a particle was inversely proportional to its mass.

Paul Dirac

formulated an equation which predicted the existence of antimatter and laid the groundwork for quantum electrodynamics.

Quantum Mechanics

explains the periodic table, the behavior of the elements in chemical bonding, and provides the practical basis for lasers, computers, and other applications.

speed of light

3.00 × 10^8 m/s

light

a form of electromagnetic radiation, composed of perpendicular oscillating waves, one for the electric field and one for the magnetic field.

electromagnetic radiation

a wave composed of electric & magnetic fields that oscillate in perpendicular planes

amplitude

height of the wave, measure of light intensity.

wavelength (λ)

a measure of the distance covered by the wave (v/f, speed/frequency)

frequency (v)

number of waves that pass a point in a given period of time.

relationship between wavelength and frequency

is inversely proportional (v = c/λ)

radio waves

have the lowest energy

gamma rays

have the highest energy.

electromagnetic spectrum

all the wavelengths of light

shorter wavelength light (high-frequency)

has higher energy

High-energy electromagnetic radiation

can potentially damage biological molecules (ionizing radiation)

interference

interaction between waves

constructive interference

when waves interact so that they add to make a larger wave (in phase)

destructive interference

when waves interact so they they cancel each other (out of phase)