When Louis de Broglie published his paper on matter waves, with the explanation that electrons existed as standing waves around the atom, it radically altered the view of what constitutes matter.
However, his model still had limitations (like all models)
One of these was that it could only explain the hydrogen atom.
What was needed was a model that could be used to describe of atom. Enter Edwin Schrödinger.
Schrödinger was able to mathematical derive an equation that was able was able to describe the wave structure for all electrons around the atom
However, his model still had limitations (like all models)
One of these was that it could only explain the hydrogen atom.
What was needed was a model that could be used to describe of atom. Enter Edwin Schrödinger.
Schrödinger was able to mathematical derive an equation that was able was able to describe the wave structure for all electrons around the atom
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Schrödinger's Equation is fundamental to the quantum behaviour of the atom, and quantum mechanics in general. But what is it all about? In this video I discuss what it means, without delving too deeply in the mathematics, and how it helps understand the nature of the electron in the atom.
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Interactive that summarise everything that we have covered so far
This interactive (from pHET) allows you to compare the different models of the Hydrogen atom, (and thus test your understanding) starting from JJ Thomson's plum pudding model to Schrödinger (NB: this will only work on computers and not iPads)
This interactive (from pHET) allows you to compare the different models of the Hydrogen atom, (and thus test your understanding) starting from JJ Thomson's plum pudding model to Schrödinger (NB: this will only work on computers and not iPads)
