SH1684

Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom

"We must be clear that when it comes to atoms, language can only be used as in poetry." —Niels Bohr

The key scientists to consider for this lesson are:

1. Sir Joseph John Thomson – Known for his early research studies in atomic structure, the
Plum-Pudding Atomic Model.
2. Ernest Rutherford – Discovered the nucleus of the atom and developed the planetary
model of the first structure of the atom.
3. Erwin Schrödinger – Developed the equations that define the wave-like traits of atomic
behavior as deduced from spectral analysis.
4. Werner Heisenberg – Devised the uncertainty principle which defined mathematica lly
that any measurement of a particle's position and momentum cannot be determined
concurrently. Matter can either be described as a wave or a particle, but not both
simultaneously.
5. Niels Bohr – Perceived the problem with Rutherford's planetary model of the atom, and
used Planck's quantum theory to describe the phenomenon of electron movement. He used
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle to redefine further electron motion in the atom. His
interpretation is called "complementarity," as it used the mutually exclusive concepts of
wave particle to reach the maximum possible understanding of the quantum model of the
atomic theory.
6. Max Planck – Able to deduce the relationship between the energy and the frequency of
radiation.
7. Albert Einstein – Responsible for the theory of relativity which redefined mass, energy,
motion, space, and time. When this theory was joined with theories and knowledge of the
atom, a new age in chemistry and physics dawned.
General Properties of all electromagnetic radiation:
1. Electromagnetic radiation can travel through empty space. Most other types of waves must
travel through some sort of substance.
2. The speed of light is always a constant. (Speed of light: 2.99792458 x 108 m/s
or 3.00x108 m/s)
3. Wavelengths are measured between the distances of either crests or troughs. It is usually
characterized by the Greek symbol λ (lambda).
Waves and their Characteristics:
1. Amplitude – the distance from the maximum vertical displacement of the wave to the
middle of the wave, height of the wave.
2. Wavelength (λ) – the distance of one full cycle of the oscillation. Longer wavelength
waves carry low energy while shorter wavelengths carry high energy. Relationship with
the speed of light:
𝒄𝒄
𝛌𝛌 =
𝒗𝒗
Assumption: Shorter wavelength = greater frequency = higher energy
3. Frequency (ν) – defined as the number of cycles per second, and is expressed as Hertz
(Hz). Frequency is directly proportional to energy and can be express as:
E= hν
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4. Period (T) – the amount of time a wave takes to travel one wavelength; it is measured in
seconds (s).
5. Velocity (c) – the constant speed of electromagnetic wave in vacuum, 3.00 x 10-8 m/s.
c=λν

where:
• c is the speed of light (c= 3.00 x 10-8 m/s)
• λ is wavelength
• ν is frequency
• E is energy
• h is Planck's constant, (h= 6.62607 x 10-34 𝐽𝐽 ∙ 𝑠𝑠)

Planck’s Quantum Theory

• Proposed by Max Planck during the 19th century.
• Energy is always emitted in integral multiples of hv, postulated that the energy of a
particular quantum of radiant energy could be described by the equation:
𝐜𝐜
𝐄𝐄 = 𝐡𝐡
𝛌𝛌
Photoelectric Effect
• Contributed by Albert Einstein, five years after Planck presented his Quantum Theory.
• A phenomenon in which electrons are ejected from the surface of certain metals exposed
to light of at least a certain minimum frequency.
• Particles of light are called photons which possess energy.
E= hν

References:
Indiana University Northwest. (n.d.). Modern Atomic Theory. Retrieved from
http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/modern-atomic-theory/rutherford- model.html on
March 23, 2017.
Khan Academy. The Quantum Mechanical Model of the Atom. Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/quantum-physics/quantum-numbers-
and-orbitals/a/the-quantum- mechanical-model-of-the-atom on March 23, 2017.
Nobel Media AB. 2014. "J.J. Thomson -Biographical". Retrieved on March 23, 2017.
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1906/thomson-bio.html.

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