Quantum Physics

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Quantum mechanics is the study of the behavior of energy and matter at the atomic, molecular and nuclear levels and sometimes even microscopic levels. The first initial information on quantum mechanics was first discovered in the early 20th century by a pioneering scientist Max Planck, because of this early knowledge of quantum energy it led to the first invention of the transistor. Scientist Max Planck discovered an equation that explained the results of these tests. The equation is as follows, E=Nhf, with E=energy, N=integer, h=constant, f=frequency. In determining this equation, Planck came up with the constant (h), which is now known as "Planck's constant." The word “Quantum” comes from the Latin meaning “how much”, which refers to the units of matter and energy predicted and observed in quantum physics. In day to day life it is understood how the world generally works and how the basic laws of physics come to play. Some examples of this are the following, drop a vase and it will break on the floor due to gravity, push a toy car and it will ride along because pushing something makes it move. Since the turn of the century scientists assumed that all the basic rules of physics applied to everything in nature as well but they did not. Quantum mechanics has also played an important role in technological advances that make modern life possible. Without it the first transistor would not have been invented or the personal computer or laser, and hence no Blu-ray players. Author James Kakalios mentioned in an interview regarding his book titled The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics that if you understand and accept the following three ideas, a light is a photon, matter has a wavelength nature associated with its motion and tha...

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...Quantum physics may be able to help doctors locate cancer cells in the body to pinpoint where the cancer cells have spread. These quantum dots glow when they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation and what scientists will be able to do is coat the dots with a material that is attractive to cancel cells. When these quantum dots are injected into the body they will latch on to the cancel cells and will be able to show doctors where to look for the cancer cells.

Works Cited

http://physics.about.com/od/quantumphysics/p/quantumphysics.htm

http://www.pbs.org/transistor/science/info/quantum.html

http://www.quantumintro.com

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/quantum

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-ways-quantum-physics-will-change-world.htm

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/everyday-quantum-physics/

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