The Subatomic World of Quantum Mechanics

In 1896, Wilhelm Wien, Planck’s colleague, said that he was nearly done with creating “Wien’s Law.” The law applied to wave energy and thermodynamics. Planck discovered that the law fell apart when applied to large waves. So, Planck discovered that energy is made up of particles called quanta. This lead to the discovery of Planck’s Radiation Law. This law describes how radiation is given off by a blackbody (any type of material that emits and absorbs all wavelengths of light). According to The Grolier Library of International Biographies, “it was his studies laying the groundwork fo quantum theory that earned him the 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics.” Today, Planck himself is considered the father of quantum theory.

The sky has been observed for centuries, with many great minds pioneering the early devices to see beyond our sky and deeper universe. New discoveries about our universe have impacted our lives and research immensely. It could be said that discoveries in the universe don’t impact our life too much here on Earth, but Quantum Mechanics a field of physics which has been utilizing Hubble’s deep space telescopes in the last couple of decades, is the only reason we have modern computers. The main aims to be investigated are; the impacts of the Hubble Space Telescope, why it has been important, the physics behind it, the cost and problems it has faced. All will be researched and analysed throughout this investigation.

To understand the role of quantum mechanics in our discussion, it is necessary to look at the basis of this theorem. Einstein originally created the Quantum Theory in hopes to “see God’s thoughts in a mathematical formula, no more than an inch long, that would encapsulate all physical laws of the universe into a specific equation” (Aczel 135). This 1900’s theory, the Quantum Theory, is the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy on the atomic and subatomic level. Developers Albert Einstein and Max Plank created a series of laws relating quantum mechanics to the real world. Initially, Max Planck hypothesized that energy was made of individual units or quanta. In light, these individual units are called photons. This initial hypothesis triggered Albert Einstein to theorize an additional proposition that not just the energy, but the radiation itself was quantized in the same manner. Scientists believe that with the creation of this mathematical formula, the tiniest speck of matter

As we’ve already stated in the definition, physics is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time. So first off, matter, the building block of the universe, is any substance which has mass and occupies space. All physical objects are composed of matter, in the form of atoms. Atoms are in turn made up of neutrons, protons, and electrons. Matter also exists in four states: solid, liquid and gas, and plasma; though there are more yet to be proven possible states. Also, all matter is capable of being converted to energy. You might have heard of E = mc2, that would be

My scientist’s name is Max Planck. He is a very well known man for the discovery of energy. Max planck was born on April 23, 1858 in kiel, Germany. Max Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame rests primarily on his role as the originator of the Quantum theory. This theory revolutionized our understanding atomic and subatomic processes, just as Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding

Some breakthroughs were happening in the world of physics that will soon provide the needed answers.

Quantum physics is a branch of physics that explores certain units of energy, which are called quanta. These units of energy are described by the Quantum Theory. The dictionary definition of the Quantum Theory is: “Any theory predating quantum mechanics that encompassed Planck’s radiation formula and a scheme for obtaining discrete energy states for atoms, as Bohr theory.” This definition means that Quantum Theory deals with Planck’s radiation formula, Bohr theory and indivisible units of energy. A great deal of research has been conducted in the field of quantum mechanics and its connection with DNA supercoiling. Some Physicists have formed a theory, which states that quantum entanglement holds DNA molecules together and prevents the DNA from falling apart. Quantum entanglement is the relationship between any objects that deal with quantum mechanics. A Physicist named Elisabeth Rieper, from the

The study of quantum mechanics has been ongoing for hundreds of years. The book, Entanglement by Amir D. Aczel allows the reader to see the evolution of the study of quantum mechanics over those hundreds of years from a fresh perspective. He offers an inside look at the scientists who have contributed so much to the field throughout the years. In his book, Aczel humanizes the people who we previously looked at just as names behind different theories, equations, and methods by exploring their backgrounds and their own unique motivations to study quantum mechanics. He shows how their work over the years built unto that of their predecessors. The scientists come from different generations and places, but Aczel shows that they all share something in common. While only some of them were aware of it at the time, all of their work would contribute to the discovery and understanding of one of the most complex issue of quantum mechanics, entanglement. However, even understanding entanglement was not enough to answer the question we still ask even today, why the quantum?

In the mid 1970s, quantum physicists made extreme breakthroughs in the science of combining strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force and electromagnetism. Although this was a huge step forward in finding the ultimate theory, it only described the world of the very small, and did not include the most familiar of these forces, gravity.

Although science ‘will never explain everything,’ it has expounded multitude of mechanisms from “evolution by natural selection to quantum mechanics and Newton’s law of gravitation

The continued research regarding a Theory of Everything is also supported by a variant of String Theory called M-theory. This theory describes the fundamental building blocks of matter not as individual point-like particles, like electrons, but immensely small strings of energy (Duft). Different particles result from different vibrating patterns of the fundamental strings. When calculations are performed assuming our universe contains more than three dimensions, the mathematics is consistent and highly precise (Kaku). Supposing that this theory is shown to be experimentally valid, then all matter and natural forces could be traced back to how each string behaves to provide a Theory of Everything. Admittedly, experimental evidence for M-theory is difficult to obtain since, in essence, it would require ultra-sensitive detection of something smaller than a quark. However, an eleven-dimensional calculation has been used to explain the behavior of high-temperature superconductors that is simpler than a typical four-dimensional quantum theory is able to provide (Campbell). This provides evidence for the mathematics of String Theory in real-world circumstances that may one day extend to explain the fundamental forces. While String Theory is still far from proposing an experimentally tested Theory of Everything, it is the closest explanation to date and given more time it may prove to be correct.

Which Scientists influenced this Scientists work? Why? I believe that the scientists before Rutherford would have inspired him to investigate in Atoms. This may of occurred because there was a conspiracy towards the atoms due to nobody actually seeing them.

Quantum mechanics is an account of how things rendition on an extremely small level. “Protons, Neutrons, and electrons are not balls of matter, but more like little concentrations of energy. According to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, if we look at or measure the position of an electron, then other crucial information about it is lost. Also, at the moment we observe it, it basically gives that electron a position and identity in the realm of the natural” (Berge). In other words, our observations can alter the experiment and aid the changes as they explain the results. “Quantum mechanics is just as scientifically provable as Newton physics, but makes less sense to our intuitive rational minds.” (Ford).

A belief in the unifying principles that underlie all natural phenomena was first articulated by Aristotle, who proposed all matter stems from the four elements of nature: earth, air, fire, and water (Duft). The search for such principles has since evolved considerably, yet the firmly rooted interest in a fundamental unification persists. Unification is defined as attempts to explain several principles according to one definition or equation. This process occurs in all areas of science, from biology to cosmology, and often reduces the complexity of calculations and leads to new predictions regarding related phenomena. In physics, the unification of seemingly unrelated concepts has led to a number of pivotal discoveries. Several physicists even posit that one ultimate Theory of Everything exists to explain the nature and behavior of all matter and energy in existence (Hawking and Mlodinow). This notion has intrigued scientists and philosophers for decades, though the final theory, should one exist, has yet to be determined.

Less than 100 years ago, beginnings of the “new quantum theory” began. Only about 55 years after the new quantum theory began to emerge the idea that quantum phenomena can be used to perform computations. The idea being for a quantum computer was that classical computers would take an extremely long time to perform huge calculations, when a simple quantum system perform these same calculations all the time.