Year 12 Physics

Module 8 | From the universe to the atom

Content 3: Quantum mechanical nature of the atom

Lesson 1 | The Balmer series

• assess the limitations of the Rutherford and Bohr atomic models

• investigate the line emission spectra to examine the Balmer series in hydrogen

Lesson 2 | Electron transitions

• assess the limitations of the Rutherford and Bohr atomic models

• investigate the line emission spectra to examine the Balmer series in hydrogen

• relate qualitatively and quantitatively the quantised energy levels of the hydrogen atom and the law of conservation of energy to the line emission spectrum of hydrogen using:
  – E = hf
  – $E = \frac{hc}{\lambda }$
  – $\frac{1}{\lambda } = R\left [ \frac{1}{n^{2}_{f}} -\frac{1}{n^{2}_{i}} \right ]$ (ACSPH136)

Lesson 3 | Quantum mechanics and the atom

• investigate de Broglie’s matter waves, and the experimental evidence that developed the following formula:
  – $\lambda = \frac{h}{mv}$ (ACSPH140)

• analyse the contribution of Schrödinger to the current model of the atom

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