Atomic Spectra
• In 1885, Balmer observed Hydrogen spectrum and saw colored lines. – Found empirical formula for discrete wavelengths of lines. – Formula generalized by Rydberg for all one-electron atoms.
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Bohr Model: Quantization of r, E
• Quantized angular momentum L leads to quantized radii and energies for an electron in a hydrogen atom or any ionized, one-electron atom.
Atomic Spectra: Hydrogen Energy Levels
E = 0 eV
Energy
n=3 n=2
Paschen Series (IR)
Balmer Series
(visiblultraviolet)
E1 = -13.6 eV
n=1
Lyman
What is Modern Physics?
• Modern physics only came of age in the 1900’s. – Physicists discovered that Newtonian mechanics did not apply when objects were very small or moved very fast!
• If things move very fast (close to the speed of light), then RELATIVISTIC mechanics is necessary. – Cosmic particles, atomic clocks (GPS), synchrotrons.