Historical Events tagged with "quantum mechanics"
Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.
Heisenberg Introduces Uncertainty Principle to Pauli
Werner Heisenberg penned a significant letter to Wolfgang Pauli in which he articulated his groundbreaking uncertainty principle for the first time. This principle, which addresses the intrinsic limitations of measuring both the position and momentum of particles simultaneously, laid foundational concepts for quantum mechanics. The correspondence marked a pivotal moment in theoretical physics, showcasing the complexities and abstract nature of particle behavior that would influence numerous scientific advancements.
Continue ReadingPresentation of the Franck-Hertz Experiment
In a pivotal presentation to the German Physical Society, physicists James Franck and Gustav Hertz detailed their groundbreaking experiment demonstrating energy quantization in atoms. Conducted in 1913, their experiments provided profound insights into atomic structure and paved the way for advancements in quantum mechanics. With meticulous methods, Franck and Hertz showcased how electrons absorbed energy, resulting in observable ionization. This work significantly influenced later developments in both theoretical and practical physics.
Continue ReadingHeike Kamerlingh Onnes Discovers Superconductivity
Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, a Dutch physicist, made a groundbreaking discovery in 1911 by cooling mercury to a temperature of around 4.2 Kelvin (-268.95°C). He observed that mercury exhibited zero electrical resistance, a phenomenon later termed superconductivity. This discovery was made at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands while Onnes was conducting experiments on the properties of materials at cryogenic temperatures. The implications of this finding were profound, as it opened the doors to a new understanding of quantum mechanics and materials science.
Continue ReadingThomson Unveils the Electron Discovery
J. J. Thomson presented groundbreaking findings at a lecture at the Royal Institution in London, revealing the existence of the electron, a subatomic particle far smaller than a proton. His experiments with cathode rays led him to conclude that these particles were fundamental constituents of atoms. This discovery challenged previous atomic models and opened new doors in the field of atomic physics, setting the stage for modern quantum mechanics.
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