Chapter 1 – Introducing Quantum Mechanics
Electrons as waves
Waves on a string give us insight into how an electron behaves as a wave.
A fixed length string only vibrates at certain frequencies – 1st harmonic, 2nd harmonic, …
There are two constraints on a electron orbiting an atom:
- Electrons orbiting an atom are waves and the length of the orbit must be a multiple of the wavelength.
- Changing the wavelength also changes the momentum of the electron. Each radius has a required momentum for the orbit to work
These constraints mean that only certain orbits are allowed.
Big Idea
Electrons as waves explains the fixed orbits and energy increments of electrons!