Atomic Structure and Quantum Theory

Atomic Structure and Quantum Theory

– Photoelectric Effect– Atomic Spectra – Uncertainty– Quantum Interpretation of the Atom– Philosophical Discourse

Aside – Planck and Blackbodies

• No one could explain blackbody curves

• Planck proposed that the energy is not continuous but rather quantized… quantum mechanics was born

Quantum Theory

• Energy can only exist in discrete chunks or quantities known as quanta!

νhE =

The Photoelectric Effect

• A photon collides with an electron and knocks it off to create a steady stream of electrons

Bohr ties it all together

• The transition from one orbit to another causes the emission or absorption of EM radiation (light)…spectra

How does Energy behave?• Planck and Blackbody Radiation• Einstein and the Photoelectric Effect• Spectra• Quantization

νhE =

Make up your Mind!

• Wave-Particle Duality• Light is a wave that acts like a particle

(sometimes)• Electrons are particles that act like waves

(sometimes)