Quantum Chemistry

Catalog description

The fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics are introduced in the form of historical narrative to illustrate the logical progression to quantization in natural theory. Eigenvalue problems, operator mathematics, uncertainties and orthonormality are discussed as essential portions of quantum mechanical calculations. The Schrodinger equations for the harmonic oscillator and rigid rotor are solved and related specifically to molecular spectroscopy techniques. The course ends with the description of the hydrogen atom in terms of quantum mechanics, with emphasis on the origin of the familiar atomic orbitals.