Quantum Physics for Scientists and Technologists

Fundamental Principles and Applications for Biologists, Chemists, Computer Scientists, and Nanotechnologists

Paul Sanghera

• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN:
  9780470294529
• eBook ISBN:
  9780470922699
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Informatica
• Subtopic: Informatica generale

Quantum Physics for Scientists and Technologists is a self-contained, comprehensive review of this complex branch of science. The book demystifies difficult concepts and views the subject through non-physics fields such as computer science, biology, chemistry, and nanotechnology. It explains key concepts and phenomena in the language of non-physics majors and with simple math, assuming no prior knowledge of the topic.

This cohesive book begins with the wavefunction to develop the basic principles of quantum mechanics such as the uncertainty principle and wave-particle duality. Comprehensive coverage of quantum theory is presented, supported by experimental results and explained through applications and examples without the use of abstract and complex mathematical tools or formalisms. From there, the book:

• Takes the mystery out of the Schrodinger equation, the fundamental equation of quantum physics, by applying it to atoms

• Shows how quantum mechanics explains the periodic table of elements

• Introduces the quantum mechanical concept of spin and spin quantum number, along with Pauli's Exclusion Principle regarding the occupation of quantum states

• Addresses quantum states of molecules in terms of rotation and vibration of diatomic molecules

• Explores the interface between classical statistical mechanics and quantum statistical mechanics

• Discusses quantum mechanics as a common thread through different fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology

Each chapter features real-world applications of one or more quantum mechanics principles. "Study Checkpoints" and problems with solutions are presented throughout to make difficult concepts easy to understand. In addition, pictures, tables, and diagrams with full explanations are used to present data and further explain difficult concepts.

This book is designed as a complete course in quantum mechanics for senior undergraduates and first-year graduate students in non-physics majors. It also applies to courses such as modern physics, physical chemistry and nanotechnology. The material is also accessible to scientists, engineers, and technologists working in the fields of computer science, biology, chemistry, engineering, and nanotechnology. 

1

FIRST, THERE WAS CLASSICAL PHYSICS

If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.

Issac Newton, Letter to Robert Hooke, February 1676

Figure 1.0. “Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665): Blind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun (24.45.1)”. Date: 1658. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.

New York: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000.

In this picture, based on Greek mythology, blind Orion a hunter has set Cadelion, a servant, on his shoulders as a Guide to the East where the rays of the Sun would restore his eyesight. Dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants (Latin: nanos gigantium humeris insidentes) is a Western metaphor with a modern-time interpretation: “One who develops future intellectual pursuits by understanding the research and works created by notable thinkers of the past.” This metaphor, first recorded in the twelfth century and attributed to Bernard of Chartres, a twelfth century French Platonist philosopher, was famously used by seventeenth-century scientist Isaac Newton. Newton himself was rather modest about his own achievements, when in his famous letter to Robert Hooke in February 1676, he wrote “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”.

In This Chapter

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Physics and Classical Physics

1.3 The Classical World of Particles

1.4 Physical Quantities

1.5 Newton’s Laws of Motion

1.6 Rotational Motion

1.7 Superposition and Collision of Particles

1.8 Classical World of Waves

1.9 Reflection, Refraction, and Scattering

1.10 Diffraction and Interference

1.11 Equation of Wave Motion

1.12 Light: Particle or Wave?

1.13 Understanding Electricity

1.14 Understanding Magnetism

1.15 Understanding Electromagnetism

1.16 Maxwell’s Equations

1.17 Confinement, Standing Waves, and Wavegroups

1.18 Particles and Waves: The Big Picture

1.19 The Four Fundamental Forces of Nature

1.20 Unification: A Secret to Scientific and Technological Revolutions

1.21 Special Theory and Relativity

1.22 Classical Approach

1.23 Summary

1.24 Additional Problems

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Physics is a discipline in natural science, the branch of science that relies the most on mathematics to create an explanation of the universe we live in. The word science has its origin in a Latin word that means “to know”. Science is the body of knowledge of the natural world organized in a rational and verifiable way. The word physics has its origin in the Greek word that means nature. Physics is that branch, or discipline, of science that deals with understanding the universe and the systems in the universe to all levels of depth from planets to fundamental constituents of matter, such as atoms, electrons, and quarks. The core part of physics is to understand the universe and everything in it in terms of the fundamental constituents of matter and the interactions between those constituents. The interactions are commonly called forces.

As human, we are macroorganisms unable to observe the microobjects and phenomenon with our naked eyes. However, what worked for us as a species that we are cognizant of phenomena in and around the range we live in. In other words, we have the capability of studying and understanding something that is beyond our intuition. The distance between two points that we resolve with our eyes is on the order of one-tenth of a millimeter (mm), and the smallest time between two instances that we can measure without the help of sophisticated tools is on the order of one-tenth of a second(s). Therefore, the journey of physics, and hence science, began by studying the macroobjects and systems. The physics of these macrosystems is called classical physics. Therefore it is important to understand and appreciate classical physics before we can understand quantum physics. This chapter presents a high-level review of the important concepts in classical physics in a concise and cohesive fashion. If you are not sure of any concept covered in this chapter, consult an introductory physics book for help from the list presented at the end of this book.

Classical physics divides the physical world into two types of physical entities: particles and waves. Your main goal in this chapter is to grasp the classical approach of physics in terms of particles and waves being different kinds of entities. To that end, we will explore three avenues: particles, waves, and forces.

1.2 PHYSICS AND CLASSICAL PHYSICS

As mentioned earlier, at its core physics is that branch of science that deals with understanding the universe and the systems in the universe in terms of fundamental constituents of matter, such as atoms, electrons, and the interactions among those constituents.

Note: When physicists use the word micro, they usually mean all sizes nonmacro, including micro (10⁻⁶), nano (10⁻⁹), pico (10⁻¹²), and smaller. In this sense, the microscale word includes nanoscale. We also use the micro word in this book in this sense unless stated otherwise.

Physics, the most fundamental science, deals with (discovering and exploring) the fundamental principles that are subsequently applied to many other disciplines of science and technology, such as biology, chemistry, material science, electronics, engineering, and nanotechnology. Think of basic physics principles being used in building practi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• About the Tech Editor
• Periodic Table of the Elements
• Fundamental Physical Constants
• Important Combinations of Physical Constants
• Preface
• 1 FIRST, THERE WAS CLASSICAL PHYSICS
• 2 PARTICLE BEHAVIOR OF WAVES
• 3 WAVE BEHAVIOR OF PARTICLES
• 4 ANATOMY OF AN ATOM
• 5 PRINCIPLES AND FORMALISM OF QUANTUM MECHANICS
• 6 THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF AN EQUATION
• 7 QUANTUM MECHANICS OF AN ATOM
• 8 QUANTUM MECHANICS OF MANY-ELECTRON ATOMS
• 9 QUANTUM MECHANICS OF MOLECULES
• 10 STATISTICAL QUANTUM MECHANICS
• 11 QUANTUM MECHANICS: A THREAD RUNS THROUGH IT ALL
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Index