University Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 408-414.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202407066

• Self Studies • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Understanding the Wave-Particle Duality and Quantization of Confined Particles Starting from Classic Mechanics

Cuicui Yang1,2, Bo Shang2, Xiaohua Chen2, Weiquan Tian2   

  1. 1 College of Science, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China;
    2 College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
  • Received:2024-07-22 Accepted:2024-10-10 Published:2025-03-19
  • Contact: Weiquan Tian E-mail:tianwq@cqu.edu.cn

Abstract: “Wave-particle duality” and “quantization” of microscopic particles with mass are fundamental concepts but challenging for beginners learning quantum chemistry. The wave-particle duality, space-confinement of motion and quantization of energy of microscopic particles are discussed based on the energy equation and momentum operator in the present work. A conclusion that confinement leads to quantization of microscopic particles is reached.

Key words: Microscopic particles, Energy equation, Wave-particle duality, Momentum operator, Potential field interaction, Quantization of motion