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    Quantum Mechanics - Historical Background

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    N4dra
    This document provides a historical background on quantum mechanics. It discusses that in the late 19th century, classical physics was thought to fully explain the world through Newton's laws and deterministic predictions. However, several experiments involving blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, discrete atomic spectra, and electrons as subatomic particles could not be explained by classical physics. This led to the inescapable conclusions that atoms are not the most microscopic objects and Newton's laws do not apply at the microscopic level of electrons. As a result, a new theory called quantum mechanics emerged, which is probabilistic rather than deterministic and describes the rules that apply to electrons in atoms and molecules.

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    Quantum Mechanics - Historical Background

    Uploaded by

    N4dra
    34 views2 pages
    This document provides a historical background on quantum mechanics. It discusses that in the late 19th century, classical physics was thought to fully explain the world through Newton's laws and deterministic predictions. However, several experiments involving blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, discrete atomic spectra, and electrons as subatomic particles could not be explained by classical physics. This led to the inescapable conclusions that atoms are not the most microscopic objects and Newton's laws do not apply at the microscopic level of electrons. As a result, a new theory called quantum mechanics emerged, which is probabilistic rather than deterministic and describes the rules that apply to electrons in atoms and molecules.

    Original Description:

    Physical Chemistry

    Original Title

    Lecture 1

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    This document provides a historical background on quantum mechanics. It discusses that in the late 19th century, classical physics was thought to fully explain the world through Newton's laws and deterministic predictions. However, several experiments involving blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, discrete atomic spectra, and electrons as subatomic particles could not be explained by classical physics. This led to the inescapable conclusions that atoms are not the most microscopic objects and Newton's laws do not apply at the microscopic level of electrons. As a result, a new theory called quantum mechanics emerged, which is probabilistic rather than deterministic and describes the rules that apply to electrons in atoms and molecules.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    34 views2 pages

    Quantum Mechanics - Historical Background

    Uploaded by

    N4dra
    This document provides a historical background on quantum mechanics. It discusses that in the late 19th century, classical physics was thought to fully explain the world through Newton's laws and deterministic predictions. However, several experiments involving blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, discrete atomic spectra, and electrons as subatomic particles could not be explained by classical physics. This led to the inescapable conclusions that atoms are not the most microscopic objects and Newton's laws do not apply at the microscopic level of electrons. As a result, a new theory called quantum mechanics emerged, which is probabilistic rather than deterministic and describes the rules that apply to electrons in atoms and molecules.

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    Quantum Mechanics Lecture # 1 Page 1

    Quantum Mechanics – Historical Background


    Physics in the Late 19th Century (prior to quantum mechanics (QM))

    • Atoms are basic constituents of matter

    • Newton’s Laws apply universally

    • The world is deterministic

    According to classical mechanics (CM):

    !
    ! !
    Given initial positions r0 and velocities v 0 , and given all forces F t () ⇒

    all the future can be predicted!

    ! !
    !
    F
    ⎛
    ! dv ⎞

    !
    () ! !
    v t
    v t = ∫ ! dv ′ = ∫
    dt′ ⎜
    F
    = ma = m ⎟
    v0 t0 m ⎝ dt ⎠
    !
    !
    ⎛
    dr ! ⎞
    !
    () ∫ !
    r t !
    r t = ! dr′ =
    ∫
    vdt′ ⎜
    =
    v ⎟

    r0 t0 ⎝ dt ⎠

    Physics was complete except for a few decimal places !

    • Newtonian mechanics explained macroscopic behavior of


    matter -- planetary motion, fluid flow, elasticity, etc.

    • Thermodynamics had its first two laws and most of their


    consequences

    • Basic statistical mechanics had been applied to chemical


    systems

    • Light was explained as an electromagnetic wave

    Docents: Ali Amran, Ph.D & Deski Beri, M.Si Physical Chemistry 3
    Quantum Mechanics Lecture # 1 Page 2

    ⎯ However there were several experiments that could not be explained


    by classical physics and the accepted dogma !

    • Blackbody radiation

    • Photoelectric effect

    • Discrete atomic spectra

    • The electron as a subatomic particle

    ⎯ Inescapable conclusions would result from these problems

    • Atoms are not the most microscopic objects

    • Newton’s laws do not apply to the microscopic world of the


    electron

    OUTCOME ⇒ New Rules!!!

    Quantum Mechanics!

    • Describes rules that apply to electrons in atoms and molecules

    • Non-deterministic, probabilistic ! A new philosophy of nature

    ⎯ Explains unsolved problems of late 19th century physics

    ⎯ Explains bonding, structure, and reactivity in chemistry

    Docents: Ali Amran, Ph.D & Deski Beri, M.Si Physical Chemistry 3

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