Tag: Quantum
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Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
Introduction Young’s double-slit experiment is a famous experiment in physics that demonstrates the wave nature of light and forms the basis of the concept of interference. It was first performed by the British scientist Thomas Young in 1801. The Experiment In Young’s double-slit experiment, a beam of light is shone through two closely-spaced slits onto…
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Zero-Point Energy
Introduction Zero-Point Energy (ZPE) is an important concept in quantum mechanics that refers to the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical physical system may have. Unlike classical systems, quantum systems are subject to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which states that we cannot precisely know both the position and momentum of a particle. Therefore, even…
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Zeeman Effect
Introduction The Zeeman Effect, named after the Dutch physicist Pieter Zeeman, is the splitting of a spectral line into several components in the presence of a static magnetic field. It is a key phenomenon in atomic physics and quantum mechanics that illustrates the interaction between magnetic fields and the magnetic moments of atoms. Understanding the…
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Wave Function
Introduction The wave function, denoted by the Greek letter psi (), is a mathematical function that describes the quantum state of a physical system. It provides the probabilities of the outcomes of measurements of physical quantities such as position, momentum, and energy. Schrödinger Equation The evolution of the wave function in time is governed by…
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Uncertainty Principle
Introduction The Uncertainty Principle, or Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. It states that it is impossible to precisely measure the exact position and momentum of a particle simultaneously. Uncertainty Principle Explained The mathematical formulation of the uncertainty principle is: where: This inequality means that the product of the uncertainties in…
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Particle in a Box
The particle in a box, also known as the particle in a cubic box, is a fundamental quantum mechanical model that describes a particle confined to a three-dimensional (3D) box with infinite potential energy at and beyond the walls of the box. This model provides insights into energy quantization, wavefunctions, and quantum states for particles…
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Infinite Square Well
The infinite square well is a fundamental one-dimensional model in quantum mechanics that describes a particle confined to a potential energy well with infinitely high walls. This simple model is used to introduce and study basic quantum mechanical concepts such as energy quantization and wavefunctions. The infinite square well provides a valuable pedagogical tool for…
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Atomic Structure
Atomic structure describes the arrangement of subatomic particles within an atom. Understanding atomic structure is essential for comprehending the behavior of atoms, their chemical properties, and their interactions with other atoms. The following figure was created using the hydrogen-cloud Python script. Please see the caption for Copyright and licensing information. Basic Atomic Structure Atoms are…
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Angular Momentum
Angular momentum describes the rotational motion of objects. It plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of spinning objects and the conservation laws that govern their interactions. Note: If you’re trying to calculate angular momentum, check out our angular momentum calculators! Definition and Basic Properties Angular momentum, denoted by , is a vector quantity…
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Schrödinger Equation
The Schrödinger equation is a foundational equation in quantum mechanics that describes the evolution of quantum states over time. It was formulated by Erwin Schrödinger in 1926 and provides a mathematical framework for understanding the wave-like behavior of particles at the quantum level. The equation plays a crucial role in determining the behavior and properties…