UNDER STANDING QUANTUM MECHANICS

 UNDER STANDING QUANTUM MECHANICS

QUANTUM Mechanism is one of the most remarkable discoveries of contemporary sciences over the last century. Quantum mechanics arose from Max Planck’s solution in 1900 to the black-radiation and Albert Einstein’s 1905 paper on photoelectric effect. The term “Quantum mechanics” was first used in a paper by max Born n 1924. However, even after 116 years of the birth of concept, it is still considered the weirdest of all sciences. The learner is not able to digest the quantum concepts and is unable to appreciate the importance of quantum mechanics in science.

            A chemist’s intention to learn quantum mechanics is to be able to understand the Structure, Bonding and Reactivity of/in/between chemical entities be it an atom or a molecule, which is defined by the behavior of electrons (microscopic matter). To be able to appreciate the role of quantum mechanics in chemistry, one must have a sound background in quantum mechanics (which is missing!). So, here is an attempt to make you understand the beauty of the subject.

What is Quantum Mechanics?

The term “Quantum Mechanics” is made up of two word: QUANTUM + MECHANICS. The term “Mechanics” refers to the science of motion of the body. The other word is “Quantum” which is Latin for “amount” and in modern conventions id used to represent the smallest possible discrete unit of any physical property.

            Quantum Mechanics replaces Classical Mechanics at the atomic or subatomic levels (electrons and nuclei n atoms and molecules). It gives the laws of motion of microscopic objects (the way classical mechanics gives for macroscopic objects). So, we can say that Quantum Mechanics is the theoretical science of microscopic matter.

            But then what happens to matter at the microscopic level that classical mechanics gets replaced by quantum mechanics? After all, matter is matter i.e. anything that has mass and occupies space. Classical mechanics failed to explain certain experimental phenomena related to microscopic matter correctly which led to the origin of quantum mechanics. In fact, this difference puzzles people as there is a completer disconnect between the on classical mechanics and quantum mechanics. In fact, this difference puzzles people as there is a complete disconnect between the understanding of the universe based on classical mechanics and quantum mechanics. This is because we don’t build our understanding of quantum mechanics using classical mechanics (which is known to us). Although we use identical terminology such as particle, wave, position, momentum, etc.  as in classical mechanics, in quantum mechanics they attain a very different nature.