Quantum Mechanics
“If you think you understand Quantum Mechanics, then you dont” ~ Richard Feynman ( Physicist )
The first question that we need to address is : What is Quantum Mechanics ? To understand it’s meaning let’s breakdown “Quantum Mechanics” in two parts :
- Quantum : The general term for all types of subatomic particles which are of the smallest possible size allowed by nature is “Quanta.” “Quanta” is the Plural; “Quantum” is the Singular. The term “quantum” comes from the Latin quantus which means “how much.” Electrons are the quanta associated with electron waves; Neutrinos are the quanta associated with neutrino waves; etc. Just like photons, electrons cannot be further divided into something smaller, nor can neutrinos.
- Mechanics : It is the part of physics that explains how things move.
Hence, Quantum mechanics describes how the particles that make up atmos work.
Quantum mechanics also tells us how electromagnetic waves (like light) work. Wave–particle duality means that particles behave like waves and waves behave like particles. (They are not two kinds of thing, they are something like both: this is their duality.) Much of modern physics and chemistry can be described and understood using the mathematical rules of quantum mechanics.
By now you may have probably got an idea about “What is Quantum Mechanics?” Now let’s discuss on the why? part. Why is Quantum Mechanics? i.e. why did Quantum Mechanics came into being in the first place.
Well obviously before Quantum Mechanics we had Classical Mechanics which consists of Newton’s and Hamiltonian’s equations.
