QUANTUM MECHANICS IN BRIEF

Quantum Mechanics is a fashionable word and it is also a fascinating word, but what is Quantum Mechanics?

The physics we deal with measures energy at the macro level whereas Quantum Mechanics deals with energy at the micro level of atoms and sub atomic particles.

At the scale of atoms and electrons, many equations of classical mechanics are not useful. As per classical mechanics objects exist in a specific place at a specific time. In quantum mechanics objects exist in a haze of probability. This is the uncertainty principle of Heisenberg.

Quantum mechanics started evolving from the dawn of the 20^th century onwards which is the time when Albert Einstein propounded his general theory of Relativity.

There are 3 revolutionary principles for Quantum mechanics. 

The 3 principles are 1. Quantized properties, 2. Particles of light and 3. Waves of matter.

1.       Quantized properties: Classical mechanics says certain properties like position and speed can only occur in a smooth continuous spectrum. Quantum mechanics says such properties can also occur in clicks (called Quanta) and not in a continuous spectrum. This essentially means that a body may not travel the same distance in the same amount of time. If that time is broken into fragments some fragments may have lesser velocity and some a higher velocity evening out into an average speed when we take a large span.

2.       Particles of light: Classical mechanics believes that light travels in a wave. But as per quantum mechanics light also travels in the form of particles.

3.       Waves of matter: Classical mechanics believes that matter exists as particles but quantum mechanics believes that matter can also behave as a wave.

These 3 principles form the crux of Quantum Mechanics.