Quantum mechanics and spectroscopy
James Keeler, Peter D. Wothers
This chapter addresses quantum mechanics and spectroscopy. Two key ideas emerge from the theory of quantum mechanics: the first is that the electron is described by a wavefunction, and the second is that the energy of the electron is quantized. The wavefunction is important since its square gives the probability density of the electron. Quantization means that the energy can only have certain discrete values, rather than being allowed to vary continuously. The chapter looks at how these wavefunctions and energy levels arise in quantum mechanics, and how they can actually be computed in some simple cases. This will involve setting up and then solving the famous Schrödinger equation. Quantum mechanics is not restricted to the description of electrons in atoms and molecules, but can also be used to describe the motion of molecules in space (translation), as well as the rotation and vibration of molecules.
Oxford University Press eBooks•Oct 31, 2013•0 citations