Properties of waves

Properties of waves

1. discrete energy levels are a consequence of wave behaviour

   • De Broglie: electrons can be thought of as 3D standing waves (with an amplitude characterised by wavefunction)

2. why is there a minimum energy?

   • following classical theory and Bohr's model, electrons should lose energy and spiral into the nucleus
     • De Broglie's matter wave theory overcomes this
       • lowest energy level for a standing wave is fundamental and harmonic such as 2nd and 3rd are a higher energy approach
         • on a musical instrument, its impossible to play a note lower than the fundamental (differs between instruments)
           • the fundamental is the lowest possible pitch and its energy depends on the degree of confinement
         • the electrostatic attraction of the electron to the nucleus confines the electron wave in an atom

3. electron density

   • Born interpretation
     • wavefunction on its own just tells us HOW electron is confined
     • we want to know the probability of finding an electron at a particular point in space