CHEM 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Louis De Broglie, Electromagnetic Radiation, Lyman Series

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHEM 112
• Professor: Michael J Mombourquette

Document Summary

Mathematical treatment: to understand the nature of light and atoms, etc. Necessary because newtonian physics (classical mechanics) breaks down at the atomic level. classical quantum mechanics electron is indivisible particle & neutrons and protons are other sub-atomic particles. relativistic quantum mechanics allows for speed of electron at speed of light & electrons, protons, and neutrons are all sub dividable into quarks, etc. Classical vs. qm view: classically, there are an infinity of possible energy levels for atoms and molecules. Lowest would most likely be populated, giving an exponential distribution: qm discrete quantized levels, population distribution (statistically derived) approximates the observed black-body output. Particles: objects have mass and possibly charge, can measure momentum and position, but not at the same time (heisenberg"s uncertainty principle) Waves: periodic function, displaced over space and time. Interference patterns: diffraction, refraction (short wavelengths bend more than long wavelengths, creating the angles necessary to see different colours)