Modern Physics

An excursion into the

development of new ideas
BBR
Things to know
What is a black body
Sketch the spectrum of BB at different
temperatures
Note that
Wavelength at peak intensity (
max
)
decreases with increase temperature
Relationship
max
is proportion to absolute
Temperature Wiens law (constant 2.898x10
-3
m.K)
Black Body Radiation
http://rh5.clemson.edu/ropermtn/naturalEM.php
Credits
Total power per unit area is the area under the curve
This increases with temperature
Stefans law gives the relationship (P = cAo T
4
)
I = oT
4

Rayleigh-Jean Law
Attempt to derive spectral intensity by considering
standing waves in the cavity



Ultraviolet catastrophe (small wavelength)
Infinite total power


4
2
) , (

T k c
T I
B
=
Plancks Solution
Assumptions
Cavity Walls are oscillators
Oscillators have range of fundamental
frequencies
Oscillators exchange radiation with cavity
Each oscillator of fund. Freq. f can absorb or
emit energy
E = n h f where n = 0,1,2,3
Novel Idea
Led to the correct eqn
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
1
2
) , (
5
2
T k
hc
B
e
hc
T I

Photoelectric Effect
http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/qm/qmcourse/NewModel/research
/pe_jcmst/Jcmst00.htm
Credits
Classical Expectations
Light is a wave so its energy must depend
on the intensity and independent of its
frequency.
Emission of photoelectrons should not
depend on the frequency, but on the
intensity
KE should depend on its intensity
A delay should be expected as electrons
absorb enough energy from the wave
Graphs
http://library.thinkquest.org/28383/nowe_teksty/htmla/1_8a.html
Credits
http://phycomp.technion.ac.il/~webteach/phys3/ph114053/adler/photo.html
Observations
No current for frequency below threshold (Cutoff)
frequency. Independent of intensity
The amount of saturation current depends on the light
intensity
The maximum kinetic energy (or stopping voltage ) is
proportional to frequency, independent of intensity
Threshold frequency depends on the metal
Stopping voltage depends only on metal and frequency ,
not on intensity
Instantaneous emission of electrons on illumination




Conclusions
Light consists of discrete photons
Energy of a photon E = hf
Atom absorbs total photon
Energy equal to the work function needed
to remove electron from atom
WF depends on the metal used
Energy of photon in excess of WF goes
into K.E of electron (Cons. Of Energy)
Compton Effect
Monochromatic X-rays scattered from
electrons in Graphite
Observed change in wavelength which
varied with scattering angle
(not expected)


| | ) cos( 1
1 2
u =
c m
h
e
Diagram
Explanation
Light consists of discrete particles
These particles collide with the stationary
electrons of the graphite
Relativistic energy and momentum are
conserved (similar to particle-particle
collision)
The Sun emits energy at a rate of 3.9x10
26

W.(i) If the radius is 6.96x10
8
m, determine
the mean temperature.(ii) If the average
wavelength of its radiation is 550 nm,
determine the average number of photons
emitted by the sun in a second.

The wavelength associated with the cutoff
frequency of silver is 325 nm. Find the
maximum kinetic energy and the stopping
potential for electrons emitted when silver is
illuminated by ultraviolet light of wavelength
254 nm.
Class Exercises
Atomic Spectra
Sunlight has continuous spectrum




When electric arc passed through gas, the gas
emits a line (emission) spectrum
White light passing through low density gas results
in absorption spectrum

http://academic.kellogg.cc.mi.us/herbrandsonc/bio111/metabolism.htm
www.prophotolife.com
Atomic Spectra
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~mcannon/Research%20Home/Research%20Home%20Pictures/
Spectrum.jpg
The Absorption and
emission spectra
are characteristic of the
element.

Applications:
Study of elements in The
Sun and Stars
Analysis of heavy metal
contamination in food
Neon Signs
Fluorescent lamps


Spectral Series of Hydrogen
RH is Rhdberg constant = 1.097373x10
7
m
-1

nf = 2 Balmer series ( first observed and equation
deduced by school teacher)
nf = 1 Lyman series (UV range)
nf = 3 Paschen Series
Note ni > nf
Note n <> 0
Equation was empirical (not based on Theory)

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2 2
1 1 1
i f
H
n n
R

Bohrs Postulates
Atom consists of electrons in circular orbits around
positive nucleus with Newtonian physics applying to
orbit.
The electron can only exist in stationary states. In these
states no energy is emitted
If an electron moves from one stationary state to that of
lower energy a photon is emitted with
E1 - E2 = h f (f is the frequency of the photon)
The stationary states are such that angular momentum is
quantised mvr = n h/2(pi) n = 1,2,3,4,.
Derivation of Bohrs atom
Coulomb Force
Centripetal Acceleration

Energy E = PE + KE
Fourth Postulate

Obtain

r
n
= a n
2
a = 52.92 pm E
n
= 13.60 eV /n
2


Class Exercises
Determine the energy required to ionise a
hydrogen atom from the state n= 3. A
photon transitions from n=6 to n= 2.
Calculate the (i) Energy (ii) Wavelength of
the emitted photon.
Discuss ground state, excited states
Draw the energy level diagram, the
ionisation energy and the first Bohr radius
for Singly ionised helium (-54.4eV n =1)
Limitations of Bohr Atom
The Bohr Model
has flat circle but observation shows spherical
electronic orbit
Has minimum angular momentum of h/2t
however L
min
= 0
Cannot explain spectra of more complex atoms
Cannot account for the variation of intensity or
splitting of spectral line under magnetic fields
Cannot account for the wave nature of the
electron

Nature of Light
Interference of light seemed conclusive
evidence for wave nature of light
Photoelectric effect discrete localised
energy
Compton Effect proved localised p, E
Both confirm particle nature of light
Reduce light intensity in Youngs
experiment
Individual particles detected on screen
Conclude wave-particle duality for light
De Broglie
Particle has a wavelength
= h/p
Observed by Davisson Germer
Interference pattern observed for e, p, n, I
2

&

buckyballs
Applications
Electron & Neutron diffraction used to
determine atomic structure liquids &solid
Electron diffraction used to study surfaces of
solids
Class Exercises
In the typical television set the electrons
are accelerated through a potential
difference of 25.0kV. Ignoring relativistic
effect, determine their De Broglie
wavelength and compare it to that of a
tennis ball served by Serena Williams
(m=56.7 g v= 120 mph)
1 mph = 0.447 m/s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUI3lhRje_0



Observe
Individual particles at detector
Low intensity area has low probability
of particle
Interference pattern emerge over
time

Deduce
e- detected as particles, but their
probability of arrival at a point on the
screen is determined by the
interference of a pair of waves
Image Credit
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/upload/2009/05/
a_tale_of_two_slits/electron_two_slit.jpg
Complimentarity
The double slit experiment with reduced
particle number showed that the electron
is detected as a particle but their arrival at
a point on the screen is determined by the
interference of two waves.
Thus both wave and particle properties are
required to explain the particle.
Cannot observe both properties
simultanteously
Cover one slit
No interference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPeprQ7oGc
Quantum Mechanics
Matter wave?
Is complex
Has everything knowable about particle
Satisfy Schrdinger Equation
Interpretation of wave function


Poetry in Physics
Origin German
Erwin kann mit seinem Psi
kalkulieren wie noch nie.
Doch wird jeder gleich einsehn:
Psi lsst sich nicht recht verstehn
English translation that does not run as
smoothly, but may be easier to understand for
some. :-)
Erwin with his psi can do
calculations quite a few.
But one thing has not been seen:
Just what does psi really mean?

What Psi means
dx x dx x P
2
) ( ) (
Review Standing Wave
Standing wave on a string of length L
= 2L/n with n = 1,2,3
Note wavelengths are quantised
For standing wave y = sin(kx)

Express y in terms of L & n
Particle in a box
Particle in 1-D box with Infinitely hard walls
Infinite potential well
Width of well L
Mass of particle m
Particle exists only in certain stationary states
Stationary states are standing waves
Determines the possible wavelengths
L = n/2 n = 1,2,3
The wave function is standing wave
Wave-function defines the probability distribution
of the particle

Quantised Energy Levels

By DeBroglie the wavelength determines
the momentum
p determines KE for that state
Recall V= 0 so total E =
Derive E
Only quantised energy possible
Note n<> 0 thus lowest energy state n = 1
ground state energy.

Wave Function for PiB
Sketch
(x)

,,
2

Class Exercises
An electron is trapped in an infinite potential well
(particle in 1-D box) 250 pm wide and is in the
ground state. How much energy must it absorb if it is
to jump to the state n = 4. Determine the wavelength
of the photon emitted when it subsequently drops
back down to the n = 2 energy level.

A particle of mass m is in an infinite potential well of
width L. The particle is in the first excited state. Find
the ratio of the probability of finding the particle in a
small interval about point x = L/3 to that of finding
the particle in an interval of equal size around the
point x = L/4.

Black Body Radiation
Temperature Wiens law
Stefans law
Plancks Solution
Photoelectric Effect
Experiment
Classical Expectations
Graphs
Observations
Einsteins Solution
Compton Effect
Experiment
Results
Explanation
Atomic Spectra
Emission/Absorption
Spectral Series of Hydrogen
Bohrs Postulates
Bohrs atom
De Broglies Hypothesis
Quantum Mechanics
Wave function
Wave function interpretation
Particle in a box