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Quantum Mechanics
Medsker
24
Science
Undergraduate 1
02/23/2010

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Term
Quantum Mechanics
Definition
interaction of subatomic particles; inherent in this study is the concept that one can never know precisely where one particle is at any one time.
Term
Photoelectric Effect
Definition
the ejection of electrons from the surface of a metal plate when visible light falls on it. (in Brian Greene's book, the analogy is of the children trapped in a dungeon, if that jogs your memory)
Term
Quanta (of energy)
Definition
The minimum unit of energy involved in an interaction.
Term
Quantum Number
Definition
The number, discrete with an integer or half-integer value, that describes the energies of electrons in atoms, and often angular momentum, spin
Term
Diffraction
Definition
This is the bending of waves when they encounter an obstacle. when you shoot electrons at an area, it creates a wave of electrons. This shows the wave-particle duality.
Term
Wave-Particle Duality
Definition
Principle that subatomic particles possess some wavelike characteristics, and that electromagnetic waves, such as light, possess some particlelike characteristics
Term
Photons
Definition
Energy particle with zero rest mass, no electric charge.Move at the speed of light. They are the carriers of the electromagnetic field.
Term
X-Rays
Definition
Lie between gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Term
Gamma Rays
Definition
emitted from excited atomic nuclei as an integral part of the process whereb the nuclear rearranges itself into a state of lower excitation
Term
Matter Wave
Definition
A wave of matter...(??), also called a de Broglie wave
Term
Planck
Definition
Smart dude, founder of quantum theory
Term
Planck's Constant
Definition
lanck discovered the energy is discrete (finite, not continuous), exists only in integer multiples of some base value, the planck constant. "h-bar"
Term
Plank Length
Definition
about 10^20 times smaller than the diameter of a proton (REALLY tiny). Anything smaller than this is completely unknown - the fabric of space-time is 'frothy'.
Term
de Broglie
Definition
another smarty-pants. Proposed wave-particle duality
Term
deBroglie Wavelength
Definition
The wavelength of any particle is inversely proportional to the momentum of a particle
Term
Heisenburg
Definition
uncertainty principle (we can never be sure where an electron is at any one point in time because the very act of observing it will cause it to change position). Fun fact: this guy helped Germany in its nuclear bomb research in WW2.
Term
Schrödinger
Definition
The creator of the wave equation for quantum mechanics. We must use probability to determine where electrons are.
Term
Schrödinger’s Cat
Definition
A thought experiment that demonstrates the problem of quantum theory when moving from the microscopic to the macroscopic. Here goes: A cat is in a sealed box with some radiation, a geiger counter and a tube of cyanide. Once the geiger counter notices some radiation, the tube of cyanide explodes, killing the cat. However - it is equally likely that the radioactive material will not decay in the given time. Quantum theory states that these two outcomes (emitting radiation or not emitting radiation) are in a superposition (that is, both are happening). Thus, because radiation is both being emitted and not being emitted, we have an half-dead, half-alive cat. This is a paradox that is meant to illustrate how crazy quantum theory is.
Term
wave function
Definition
It is related to the likelihood of the particle being at a given point in space at a given time, and may be thought of as an expression for the amplitude of the particle wave
Term
Probability
Definition
the random character of all physical processes that occur at sub-atomic scales and are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. probability theory is required to describe nature,
Term
Entanglement
Definition
wo or more objects in which the quantum states of the constituting objects are linked together so that one object can no longer be adequately described without full mention of its counterpart—even if the individual objects are spatially separated in a spacelike manner
Term
Quantum Computing
Definition
Computer that works using quanta and quarks instead of binary codes (a lot faster but only in theoretical stages)
Term
Spintronics
Definition
emerging technology that incorporates the spin of an electron and its associated magnetic momentum; can be used in semiconductors.
Term
Quantum Tunneling
Definition
particle's ability to penetrate energy barriers within electronic structures.
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