Abstract This paper discusses the development of quantum mechanics, illustrating its background which began with the classical theory of the atom, continued to Bohr's simple atomic theory, and was developed further with de Broglie's wave theory, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and Schrodinger's equation. To further investigate the development of quantum mechanics, each of these stages are looked at in more detail, showing the main ideas that each stage added to the understanding of the atom. This paper shows that quantum mechanics is based on the combination of the ideas of many scientists, with the final acceptance of quantum theory occurring when Schrodinger's equation tied together previous theories and allowed them to be applied to subatomic particles.
From the Paper "The classical theory of the atom is based on the model of an atom being made up of a positive nucleus containing protons and neutrons with negatively charged electrons orbiting around this nucleus. This model was first proposed by Rutherford in 1911 who described the atom saying, ?Most of the volume of the atom is empty space in which electrons move around the nucleus.? This basic model of the atom has been expanded on and used to determine how chemicals react with each other, the charges of chemicals and the physical properties of chemicals. While this has involved expanding the theory, the basic understanding of the structure remains the same."
Abstract The author of this paper describes how 16 of those who attended the fifth Solvay Conference in Brussels in 1927 were laureates or went on to win the Nobel Prize. He examines in detail the contributions these attendees made to the field of physics.
From the Paper "Compton is responsible for the study of the scattering of high-energy photons by electrons-the Compton effect. Besides Langmuir, Compton was the only American at the Fifth Solvay Conference. Compton was also responsible for pioneering work on gamma rays and their interaction with matter. Towards the end of his career, Compton worked on cosmic rays."
Tags: Einstein, Bohr, chemistry, Quantum, Theory, thermodynamics, EPR, paper
Abstract In the play, "Copenhagen", Michael Frayn does not set out to arrive at any conclusion about the past. It is perplexing that the play sets the two characters, Heisenberg and Bohr, in the past yet does not let them reveal the causal connections of their past actions. The uncertainty about human mind and action is the focus of the play, which explains why Heisenberg appears and behaves differently in the two Acts of the play.
Abstract The atom is the very smallest unit of matter or the smallest part of a chemical element that still contains all the parts of that element. Atoms are the very heart of our chemical elements, and harnessing the atom has been a long, historic process. This paper shows that atoms have been known about for a while in history, but it was not until the 20th century that scientists learned how to harness the power of the atom and use it effectively.
From the Paper "Today, scientists have uncovered much more information about the elements that make up the atom, including baryons, quarks, and antiparticles. Because we understand more about the composition of the atom, we can use it more effectively. For example, scientists often use protons in particle accelerators, (sometimes called "atom smashers"), which create beams of actively charged particles and then point them toward targets. The energy created by these accelerators help scientists study the nucleus of the atom, and create the nuclear energy that will create new particles."
