Statistical thermodynamics
167
Research direction: protein folding and prions
168
Prions
169
References
171
Problems
171
Part 2: Quantum mechanics and spectroscopy
173
9 Quantum theory: introduction and principles
175
Classical concepts
175
Experimental failures of classical physics
177
Blackbody radiation
177
Photoelectric effect
180
Atomic spectra
180
Principles of quantum theory
182
Wave–particle duality
182
Schrödinger’s equation
184
Born interpretation
188
General approach for solving Schrödinger’s equation
190
Interpretation of quantum mechanics
191
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
192
A quantum-mechanical world
193
Research direction: Schrödinger’s cat
194
References
195
Problems
196
10 Particle in a box and tunneling
198
One-dimensional particle in a box
198
Properties of the solutions
200
Energy and wavefunction
200
Symmetry
201
Wavelength
202
Probability
202
Orthogonality
203
Average or expectation value
203
Transitions
204
Research direction: carotenoids
205
Two-dimensional particle in a box
207
Tunneling
209
Research direction: probing biological membranes
211
Research direction: electron transfer II: distance dependence
215
References
218
Problems
218
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