THE SPECTRUM OF THE ATOMIC UNIVERSE
BY BALUNGI FRANCIS
Abstract
Quantum mechanics or quantum theory is a physical science that is concerned with thebehaviors of matter and energy at a scale of atoms and subatomic particles/waves.Quantum mechanics also acts as the basis through which we can study, analyze and explain very large objects such as stars and galaxies, and cosmological events such asthe big bang. To describe the atomic universe fully we need both quantum mechanics and gravity. This is achieved through the study of the accelerations of the particles leading tothe radiations of electromagnetic energy, and predicting that all matter is unstable. It isthen theorized that there appears two accelerations,
g
a
and
g
b
whose ratio explains the formation of two or more lines close together in the Hydrogen spectrum which is knownas the fine structure. Comparing this model with Bohr’s model of the Hydrogen atom produces very precise results for cosmological events hence the atomic universe.
Keywords: quantum mechanics, cosmology, general relativity.
1.Introduction
In the early20th century,Ernest Rutherfordexperiments established thatatomsconsisted
of a diffuse cloud of negatively chargedelectronssurrounding a small, dense, positivelycharged nucleus. Given this experimental data, it was quite natural for Rutherford toconsider a planetary model for the atom, theRutherford modelof 1911, with electronsorbiting a sun-like nucleus. This model was a difficulty. The laws of classical mechanics predict that the electron will releaseelectromagnetic radiationas it orbits a nucleus.Because the electron would be losing energy, it would gradually spiral inwards andcollapse into the nucleus. This is a disaster, because it predicts that all matter is unstable.To overcome this difficulty, Niels Bohr proposed, in1913, what is now called the Bohr
model of the atom. The model's key success lay in explaining theRydberg formulafor thespectralemission linesof atomic hydrogen. Not only did the Bohr model explain thereason for the structure of the Rydberg formula, but it provided a justification for itsempirical results in terms of fundamental physical constants.3
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