Module 3 23-24

Module 3
Quantum Theory and Applications

Contents
 Need and Origin of Quantum concept
Planck’s Quantum Theory
de-Broglie hypothesis
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle
Numericals
Need and Origin of quantum concept
 Newtonian physics dominated the scientific worldview until the late 19th century.
 However, physicists discovered in the early 20th century that the laws of classical mechanics
do not apply at the atomic scale.
 The photoelectric effect could not be explained using existing light theories since an increase in
light intensity did not result in the same outcome as an increase in light energy.
 During the late nineteenth century, the study of energy distribution in the spectrum of the
blackbody radiation, came up like an unsolvable problem.
 Theories of physics failed to account for the observed spectrum.
 Therefore, new theory was needed to explain the black body radiation spectrum.
Planck’s Quantum Theory – Planck’s Radiation Law:
• The failure of classical theory to explain the black body spectrum
made Max Planck propose a totally new way of looking at radiation.
• He proposed that radiation is emitted or absorbed not as continuous
waves but in discrete bundles called quanta.
• Each quantum of energy is hυ, υ
where h is Planck’s constant and υ is frequency of the radiation.
• This concept is called Planck’s Quantum theory of radiation.
• According to Planck, absorption or emission of radiation occurs only
in integral multiples of hn, or as n hn. Based on this concept, Planck
derived a law known as the Planck’s law of radiation, according to
which, the energy density of radiation over a frequency range υ to υ
+ dυ is:
Or
Postulates of Planck’s quantum theory are:–
1.Matter radiates energy or absorbs energy in discrete quantities, in the form of small packets or
bundles.
2.The smallest bundle or packet of energy is known as quantum. In the case of light, a quantum
of light is known as a photon.
3.The energy of the quantum absorbed or emitted is directly proportional to the frequency of the
radiation.
1.Quantum theory helped to develop quantum mechanics.

Wave Particle Dualism – Dual Nature of Matter – de Broglie’s Hypothesis:
• Phenomena like interference, diffraction and polarization of light are explained on the basis of wave theory
of light.
• But, phenomena like black body radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton Effect etc. could be explained only
using quantum theory, according to which, radiation is composed of particles or quanta (or photons).
• Thus it is seen that radiation or energy exhibit both wave and particle characteristics.
• Nature manifests itself only in two forms; energy and matter, and a basic characteristic of nature is that it
loves symmetry.
• Considering these facts Louis de Broglie proposed that since energy exhibits dual characteristics particle
(matter) also must have dual nature.
• Or, according to Louis de Broglie, matter must also exhibit particle properties under certain situations and
wave properties under others.
• The particle and wave properties are not exhibited simultaneously.
Thus, according to de Broglie’s hypothesis every moving particle is associated with a wave, called the matter
wave or de Broglie wave.
The wavelength associated with matter wave is called de Broglie wavelength and is given by
Characteristic properties of matter waves:
• Matter waves are the waves that are associated with a moving particle. The
wavelength of the waves are given by λ = h/mv where ‘m’ is the mass of the particle and ‘v’ is
the velocity of the particle.
• Lighter is the particle, greater is the wavelength associated with it.
• Smaller is the velocity of the particle, greater is the wavelength associated with it.
• Matter waves are independent of the charge of the particles.
• The velocity of matter waves depends on the velocity of particle. i.e., it is not a
constant, while the velocity of electromagnetic wave is constant.
Expression for de Broglie wavelength in terms of energy of the particle
3.2 De Broglie wavelength associated with electrons
1. Calculate the momentum of an electron and the de Broglie wavelength associated with it if its
kinetic energy is 1.5 KeV.
E= 1.5x103x1.6x10-19 J
p= 2.09x10-23 kgm/s
=3.17x10-11 m
2. Compute the de Broglie wavelength for a neutron moving with one tenth part of velocity of
light, given mass of neutron = 1.674 x 10-27 kg.
λ=h/mv
Ans = 1.314 x 10-14 m
3. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron accelerated under a potential
difference of 100 V.
nm = 1.226 Å
4. Compare the energy of a photon with that of a neutron when both are associated with a de Broglie
wavelength of 1 Å. Given mass of neutron is 1.674 x 10 -27 kg .
For Photon
=1.98 x 10-15 J
For neutron
Find Ep/En
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle states that simultaneous determination of exact position (x) and exact
momentum (p) of a particle is impossible. And, the product of the uncertainties in them is greater than or
equal to h/4.
Dx Dp ≥ h/4p
Uncertainty principle can also be applied to the pairs of variables, energy and time, and angular
displacement and angular momentum as:
DE Dt ≥ h/4p and Dq DL ≥ h/4p

1. Calculate the uncertainty in the momentum of an electron if uncertainty in its position is 1 Å ( 10-10 m).
∆x∆p ≥ h/4π
∆p ≥ h/4π∆x
∆p ≥ 5.28 x 10–25kg m s-1
Hence, the uncertainty in the momentum of the electron is 5.28 x 10–25kg m s-1
2. The position and momentum of a 10 k e V electron are determined simultaneously. If its position is
located within 1 Å, what is the percentage uncertainty in its momentum?
3. What is the minimum uncertainty in the energy state of an atom if an electron
remains in this state for 10-8 s.
Ans
AN K
TH
YO U

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Module 3

Quantum Theory and Applications

 Theories of physics failed to account for the observed spectrum.

1.Quantum theory helped to develop quantum mechanics.

• Lighter is the particle, greater is the wavelength associated with it.

• Matter waves are independent of the charge of the particles.

DE Dt ≥ h/4p and Dq DL ≥ h/4p

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