NATS 1740 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Uncertainty Principle, Atomic Nucleus, Virtual Particle

• School: York University
• Department: Natural Science
• Course: NATS 1740
• Professor: Radu Campeanu

Document Summary

Lecture 2- the universe at the atomic level. Form of electromagnetic radiation: travels at 300,000 km/sec, wavelength: distance between two successive wave crests, energy: directly proportional with frequency and inverse proportional to wavelength, amplitude: height of wave. The microscope: convex glass lenses used in optical telescope, microscope has the ability to observe very small objects, requires a source of visible light. Explained why substance is a liquid or has a certain smell or colour. Electronic microscope: requires a beam of electrons, therefore can see large atoms, electrons and all other particles move with a certain speed and behave like waves because of the uncertainty principle in the quantum world. First experiment which observed the structure was performed by rutherford. Led to the planetary model of the atom: planetary model of the atom resembles the astronomical planetary model in terms of distances. Irradiating an atom with white light leads to a higher orbit: bohr"s "copenhagen school" developed quantum mechanics.