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Quantum mechanics, science dealing with the behavior of matter and light on the atomic and subatomic scale. It attempts to describe and account for the properties of molecules and atoms and their constituents—electrons, protons, neutrons, and other more esoteric particles such as quarks and gluons.
The different energy levels of atoms are identified with the simple vibrational modes of the wave equation. The equation is solved to find these modes, and then the energy of an electron is obtained from the frequency of the mode and from Einstein’s quantum formula, E = hν. Schrödinger’s wave equation gives the same energies as Bohr’s ...
Conversely, electrons and other objects that appear as particles in classical physics are endowed by quantum theory with wavelike properties as well, such a particle’s quantum wavelength being inversely proportional to its momentum.
The application of quantum theory to the interaction between electrons and radiation requires a quantum treatment of Maxwell’s field equations, which are the foundations of electromagnetism, and the relativistic theory of the electron formulated by Dirac (see above Electron spin and antiparticles).
Schrödinger equation, the fundamental equation of the science of submicroscopic phenomena known as quantum mechanics. The equation, developed (1926) by the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger, has the same central importance to quantum mechanics as Newton’s laws of motion have for the large-scale phenomena of classical mechanics.
Quantum mechanics - Axioms, Theory, Physics: Although the two Schrödinger equations form an important part of quantum mechanics, it is possible to present the subject in a more general way. Dirac gave an elegant exposition of an axiomatic approach based on observables and states in a classic textbook entitled The Principles of Quantum Mechanics.
Quantum mechanics - Time-Dependent, Schrodinger, Equation: At the same time that Schrödinger proposed his time-independent equation to describe the stationary states, he also proposed a time-dependent equation to describe how a system changes from one state to another.
Quantum mechanics - Wave Mechanics, Schrodingers Equation, Particles: Schrödinger expressed de Broglie’s hypothesis concerning the wave behaviour of matter in a mathematical form that is adaptable to a variety of physical problems without additional arbitrary assumptions.
Planck’s constant, fundamental physical constant characteristic of the mathematical formulations of quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of particles and waves on the atomic scale, including the particle aspect of light. The German physicist Max Planck introduced the constant in 1900.
Take this Science quiz at Encyclopedia Britannica to test your knowledge about quantum mechanics.