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CH 12 Notes

Quantum theory explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels. It describes how objects can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties through wave-particle duality. This includes properties like interference and the transport of energy in discrete quanta. Albert Einstein proposed that light consists of discrete packets of energy called photons, which helped explain the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect and blackbody radiation demonstrate that photons exhibit wave and particle properties.

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31 views2 pages

CH 12 Notes

Quantum theory explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels. It describes how objects can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties through wave-particle duality. This includes properties like interference and the transport of energy in discrete quanta. Albert Einstein proposed that light consists of discrete packets of energy called photons, which helped explain the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect and blackbody radiation demonstrate that photons exhibit wave and particle properties.

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Aila Kublai-sik
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12.

1 Introducing Quantum Theory


Classical physics refers to the everyday world of large objects where Newtonian
mechanics and Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism apply.
• The quantum world is the world of microscopic particles and their behaviours.
• Many models in classical physics break down when applied to extremely small
objects such as electrons.
• In classical physics, energy can be carried from one point to another by waves
or by particles.
• In classical physics, waves exhibit interference; particles do not. Particles often
deliver their energy in discrete amounts, but waves do not.
• In the quantum world, all objects, including electromagnetic radiation and
electrons, can exhibit interference and transfer energy in discrete amounts
called quanta.

Quantum is the smallest amount of energy that a particle can emit or absorb; the plural is quanta
Quantum theory is the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and behaviour of matter and energy at the
atomic and subatomic levels

The property of matter that defines its dual nature of exhibiting both wave-like
and particle-like behaviours is sometimes called wave–particle duality, and includes
the following properties:
• All quantum objects, including electromagnetic radiation and electrons, can
exhibit interference.
• All quantum objects, including electromagnetic radiation and electrons,
transfer energy in distinct, or discrete, amounts. These discrete “parcels” of
energy are quanta.

Wave–particle duality is the property of matter that defines its dual nature of displaying both wave-like and particle-
like characteristics

12.2 Photons and the Quantum Theory of Light


The minimum energy required to remove a single electron from a piece of metal is
called the work function, W. The work function has units of energy. For convenience,
researchers often give the value of the work function in electron-volts (eV) rather
than joules.
One electron-volt is defined as the amount of energy given to an electron that accelerates through a potential
difference of one volt. To convert electron-volts to joules, use the following conversion factor:

1 eV = 1.60 x10 J -19

Photoelectric effect is the phenomenon of electrons being ejected from a material when exposed to electromagnetic radiation
Threshold frequency (f0) the minimum frequency at which electrons are ejected from a metal
In 1905, Albert Einstein proposed that light should be thought of as a collection of
particles, now called photons. Photons have two important properties that are quite
different from classical particles. Photons do not have any mass, and they exhibit
interference effects, as electrons do in double-slit interference experiments. Photons
are unlike any other particle in classical physics.
According to Einstein, each photon carries a parcel of maximum kinetic energy
(quantum) according to the following equation:

• The momentum of a photon is given by

.
• Planck’s constant, h, is a universal constant with a value of 6.63 x 10 -34 J·s.
• In the photoelectric effect, electrons are ejected when light with a certain
minimum frequency strikes a metal. Energy is conserved during this process.
• In the Compton effect, electrons are ejected when X-rays strike a metal.
Energy and momentum are conserved during this process.
• Planck explained the observed spectrum of blackbody radiation by hypothesizing that the energy in a
blackbody comes in discrete parcels called quanta.
• The photoelectric effect and blackbody radiation demonstrate that photons
exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.

12.3 Wave Properties of Classical Particles

De Broglie wavelength is the wavelength associated with the motion of a particle possessing momentum of magnitude p
Matter wave is the wave-like behaviour of particles with mass.

Heisenberg uncertainty principle is a mathematical statement that says that if ∆x is the uncertainty in a particle’s
position, and ∆p is the uncertainty in its momentum, then ∆x ∆p ≥ h /4p
, where h is Planck’s constant

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