Portal:Physics/Selected article/May 2010
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Introduction to Quantum mechanics is a simpified version of Quantum mechanics. It describes Quantum mechanics as the set of scientific principles describing the behavior of energy and matter on the atomic and subatomatic scale. Much like the universe on the large and very vast scale (i.e., general relativity), so the universe on the small scale (i.e., quantum mechanics) does not neatly conform to the rules of classical physics. As such, it presents a set of rules that is counterintuitive and difficult to understand for the human mind, as humans are accustomed to the world on a scale dominated by classical physics. In other words, quantum mechanics deals with "Nature as She is—absurd."[1]
Many elementary parts of the universe, such as photons (discrete units of light) have some behaviours which resemble a particle but other behaviours that resemble a wave. The energies carried by photons form a discontinuous and colour coded series. The energies, the colours, and the spectral intensities of electromagnetic radiation produced are all interconnected by laws. But the same laws ordain that the more closely one pins down one measure (such as the position of a particle) the more wildly another measure relating to the same thing (such as momentum) must fluctuate.
Around the turn of the twentieth century, it became clear that classical physics was unable to explain several phenomena. Understanding these limitations of classical physics led to a revolution in physics: the development of quantum mechanics in the early decades of the last century.
- For the rest of the article see: Introduction to Quantum mechanics