Physics 12 Honors Notes Quantum Physics V2.

0 (KWP) Page 1 of 5
For more information, refer to.
1. Giancoli - Physics: Principles with Applications (5th Edition): Chapter 27 Early Quantum
Theory and Models of the Atom; Chapter 28 Quantum Mechanics of Atoms;
2. Materials regarding AP Physics B & C Exams
as well as other resources.


The Wave-Particle Duality
1.

Planck proposed that energy is a distribution
of very small discrete amounts of energy, E
min
.
Each amount is related to the frequency of
oscillation, f.
Thus energy of any vibration is given by


and h, Plancks constant,

Energy is QUANTIZED, not CONTINUOUS as had been presumed.

2. Einstein in 1905 hypothesized that some must be true of light.
Light is emitted in packets with energy E = hf. This packet is called a (rest mass = 0).





He proves this and receives a Nobel Prize for the PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT.

=
=
(n N)
n = 1,2,3
Note: 1m= 110
-6
m
6.63 10
34


Collector Emitter
Photocell
When light with high enough frequency is shone upon
the photocell, electrons are emitted.
Now, reversing the voltage of the battery we can stop
electrons from getting across where
0
=

electron emitted with the
greatest kinetic energy

0
is called the stopping potential. It determines what
the maximum kinetic energy is for the electrons.
Work function,
0
, is the minimum energy needed to
unbind the electron from the metal emitter electrode.
Physics 12 Honors Notes Quantum Physics V2.0 (KWP) Page 2 of 5
Results of the experiment












Intensity does not affect E
K max
!



Conclusion
Light comes in quanta E=hf as proposed by Einstein, and
only the frequency affects the maximum kinetic energy of
the electrons. The intensity, which is related to the number
of photons hitting the electrode, does not matter.

The change in energy during the
transferring of energy states.

Other evidence that light can be
modelled as particles
Photon scattering in the Compton Effect.
Photon changes direction and
causes the electron to move as in
regular collision between particles
with mass
A photon, a particle of light, acts like
any particle with mass.
Controlled
with stopping
potential,
0

Cut-off frequency (
0
)
below which no electrons would be emitted irrespective of the
intensity of the light (goes against the wave theory again)
According to wave theory, only light
intensity, not its frequency, affects the E
k
of
electrons unlike what we see here.
Related to number
of electrons
=

+
0

where
0
=
0

(at rest)
*momentum
still conserved
Physics 12 Honors Notes Quantum Physics V2.0 (KWP) Page 3 of 5
But from Einsteins Theory of Special Relativity, light, to be able to travel at the speed of light,
cannot have mass.
So light is a particle with momentum but no mass!
It can be shown that photons momentum, p, is

.. and


Editors note: (Extension) When a photon collides with a particle that has mass (i.e. an
electron), the scattered photon would have a new energy and momentum after the collision. If a
photon with initial wavelength

, collides with a free, stationary electron of mass m

e
,

and is
deflected through an angle , its scattered wavelength is increased to

, where

(1 )

If light waves can be particles, why cant particles be waves too?
This was de Broglies proposal.
Then the wavelength, , associated with a moving particle is


e.g. A 100 g ball thrown at 5 m/s has a de Broglie wavelength of 110
-33
m. (Insignificant)
A electron moving at 2000 m /s has a de Broglie wavelength of 310
-7
m. (NOT significant)

Evidence of in particles
Diffraction interference pattern of electrons and neutrons (Compare with light)
e.g. Firing neutrons towards a crystalline structure of salt an interference pattern is produced.
We can then use math and work backwards to determine the lattice structure of salt.
We have just seen the two faces of the same coin.
Standing waves of the electrons motion around the nucleus of hydrogen agrees and explains
why hydrogen emits radiation only at specific wavelengths thus also the emission spectrum of
hydrogen.

Nothing is ever perfectly clear, is it? (The Particle Hide-and-Seek)
Editors note: The beginning of Chapter 28 comes with a hide-and-seek game with particles.
How accurate can we determine the position and motion of a small particle at the same time?
Position? Or Momentum?
= = (

2
)c =

=
2

Wave velocity (p.325)
=
Relativity (p.811-814)
=
2

=

Physics 12 Honors Notes Quantum Physics V2.0 (KWP) Page 4 of 5
According to the Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
the more precisely we know the particles position, , the less we know of its
momentum

, (and its motion), and vice versa.

Or in an equation,


i.e. (1) As

, ; (2)

,
Editors Note: Is it possible to accurately detect the position or momentum of a particle? Yes,
but only one of them at a time.
Suppose that we want to know the exact position of a small particle at one instant,
since,
, and in this case, is approaching 0.


In conclusion, as the position uncertainty approaches 0, the momentum uncertainty approaches
infinity. In other words, it becomes completely unknown.
When playing hide-and-seek with fast moving, small particles, the more time you spend finding
out where the particle is, the less likely you will know where it is ten seconds later as well as how
fast it is moving, and vice versa.
Comparing single slit diffraction patterns:
A B

Final word




(

)()

2

(

2()

lim
0

= lim
0
(

2()
) = lim
0
(

0
) =
() =

2(

)

=
If you analyze the above equation you will notice that small
changes in momentum,

, will cause significantly larger

changes in position, . So Heisenbergs uncertainty
Principle is more relevant when considering very small
masses like electrons and less so at the scales we are more
used to such as textbooks, tables or telephones.
Physics 12 Honors Notes Quantum Physics V2.0 (KWP) Page 5 of 5
Data Table
Speed of light in vacuum c 2.998 10
8
/
Plancks constant h 6.63 10
34



Equations
Waves in vacuum:

Planck and Einstein; Photoelectric Effect:



Comptons Effect:


de Broglies wavelength:


Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle:

= =

=
2

= ( )

=
0
=

+
0

(1 )
=

(extension)
(

)()

2

=