Physics Digital Textbook
Modern Physics ยท Chapter

Quantum Physics

Use simulations to make photons, spectra, semiconductors, lasers, and quantum ideas inspectable.

Start chapter Next: Nuclear Physics

Learning Path

Checkpoint 1: Photoelectric effect

Photons and Threshold Frequency

Use photoelectric simulations to connect photon energy, frequency, intensity, threshold frequency, and emitted electrons.

Checkpoint 2: Wave-particle duality

Interference from Quantum Objects

Explore double-slit models to see how interference patterns challenge purely particle-only explanations.

Checkpoint 3: Atomic spectra

Energy Levels and Spectral Lines

Use Bohr and spectrum models to connect transitions, photon energy, and emission or absorption lines.

Checkpoint 4: X-rays

Imaging and Absorption

Inspect X-ray spectra, absorption, and imaging models to connect quantum interactions with medical and material applications.

Checkpoint 5: Lasers and semiconductors

Quantum Devices

Use laser and semiconductor simulations to connect energy bands, beam profiles, and device behaviour.

Checkpoint 6: Quantum models

Beyond the Classical Picture

Explore electron clouds, spin, and entanglement models as visual entry points into modern quantum ideas.

Advertisement

Chapter Lens

How do quantum models explain light, spectra, matter, and devices that classical ideas cannot fully describe?

  • Light and matter can show both wave-like and particle-like behaviour depending on the experiment.
  • Atomic spectra provide evidence that electrons occupy discrete energy levels.
  • Quantum ideas support practical technologies such as X-ray imaging, lasers, semiconductors, LEDs, and modern sensors.

Misconception Watch

  • Increasing intensity is not the same as increasing photon energy; frequency matters for photoelectric emission.
  • Energy levels are discrete, so spectra are evidence for quantised atomic structure.
  • Wave-particle duality is not simply switching between two everyday objects; it is a model-dependent way to explain observed behaviour.

Chapter Concept Checks

1. In the photoelectric effect, increasing light intensity below threshold frequency does what?

Answer: It still does not eject electrons because each photon has insufficient energy.

Distractors to watch for: It immediately ejects electrons because total brightness is all that matters. / It changes the metal into an insulator. / It removes the need for photons.

2. Why are atomic emission spectra line spectra rather than continuous rainbows?

Answer: Electrons transition between discrete energy levels and emit photons with specific energies.

Distractors to watch for: Atoms emit every possible photon energy equally. / The spectrometer deletes most colours randomly. / Only red light can be emitted by atoms.

3. What does a double-slit interference pattern suggest about quantum objects?

Answer: They can show wave-like behaviour even when detected as individual events.

Distractors to watch for: They are always large classical balls. / They never interact with screens. / They have no measurable behaviour.

Starter Set

Begin with one strong interactive from each strand before browsing the full chapter.

Photoelectric Effect Model thumbnail Photoelectric effect

Photoelectric Effect Model

Explore Photoelectric Effect Model as an interactive EJS simulation for electricity and magnetism.

Study Photoelectric effect
Double Slit Wave Particle Duality Model thumbnail Wave-particle duality

Double Slit Wave Particle Duality Model

Explore Double Slit Wave Particle Duality Model as an interactive EJS simulation for waves and optics.

Study Wave-particle duality
Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si... thumbnail Atomic spectra

Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si...

Explore Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si... as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Study Atomic spectra
X Ray Imaging Physics thumbnail X-rays

X Ray Imaging Physics

Explore X Ray Imaging Physics as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Study X-rays
Laser Beam Profile thumbnail Lasers and semiconductors

Laser Beam Profile

Explore Laser Beam Profile as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Study Lasers and semiconductors
Quantum Wave Packet thumbnail Quantum models

Quantum Wave Packet

Explore Quantum Wave Packet as an interactive EJS simulation for waves and optics.

Study Quantum models

Adaptive Suggestion

If this chapter feels hard, study the first few interactives and use the concept checks until your streak improves. If it feels easy, jump to resources with videos or OSPSG links and explain the model evidence in your own words.

Back to chapter map
Photoelectric Effect Model thumbnail

1. Photoelectric Effect Model

ejss_model_photoelectriceffectwee1

Explore Photoelectric Effect Model as an interactive EJS simulation for electricity and magnetism.

Photoelectric effect Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Photoelectric Effect Simulator thumbnail

2. Photoelectric Effect Simulator

ejss_model_photoelectriceffectwee3

Explore Photoelectric Effect Simulator as an interactive EJS simulation for electricity and magnetism.

Photoelectric effect Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Photoelectric Effect Model thumbnail

3. Photoelectric Effect Model

ejss_model_photoelectriceffectwee

Explore Photoelectric Effect Model as an interactive EJS simulation for electricity and magnetism.

Photoelectric effect Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Photoelectric Effect Model thumbnail

4. Photoelectric Effect Model

ejss_model_photoelectriceffectwee2

Explore Photoelectric Effect Model as an interactive EJS simulation for electricity and magnetism.

Photoelectric effect Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Double Slit Wave Particle Duality Model thumbnail

5. Double Slit Wave Particle Duality Model

ejss_model_DoubleSlitWaveParticleDualitywee

Explore Double Slit Wave Particle Duality Model as an interactive EJS simulation for waves and optics.

Wave-particle duality Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Double Slit Wave Particle Duality thumbnail

6. Double Slit Wave Particle Duality

ejss_src_DoubleSlitWaveParticleDualitywee / DoubleSlitWaveParticleDuality / DoubleSlitWaveParticleDuality

Open Double Slit Wave Particle Duality, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for waves and optics.

Wave-particle duality Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si... thumbnail

7. Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si...

ejss_model_atomicEmissionAbsorptionSpectra

Explore Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si... as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si... thumbnail

8. Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si...

ejss_model_atomicEmissionAbsorptionSpectra5

Explore Emission Absorption And Continuous Atomic Spectrum And Energy Levels Of Hydrogen Gas Si... as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Bohr Model Of The Atomic Energy Levels thumbnail

9. Bohr Model Of The Atomic Energy Levels

ejss_model_bohrhwee

Explore Bohr Model Of The Atomic Energy Levels as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Bohr Model Of The Atomic Energy Levels thumbnail

10. Bohr Model Of The Atomic Energy Levels

ejss_model_bohrhweeSLS

Explore Bohr Model Of The Atomic Energy Levels as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Differential Absorption Of X Rays thumbnail

11. Differential Absorption Of X Rays

ejss_model_DifferentialXRayAbsorbtionwee

Explore Differential Absorption Of X Rays as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Differential Absorption Student Activities thumbnail

12. Differential Absorption Student Activities

ejss_model_DifferentialXRayAbsorbtionwee / Differential_Absorption_supplemental / Differential Absorption - Student Activities

Explore Differential Absorption Student Activities as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
X Ray Spectrum thumbnail

13. X Ray Spectrum

ejss_model_XRaySpectrumwee

Explore X Ray Spectrum as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
X Ray Spectrum Technical Notes thumbnail

14. X Ray Spectrum Technical Notes

ejss_model_XRaySpectrumwee / XRay_Spectrum_supplemental / XRaySpectrumTechNotes

Explore X Ray Spectrum Technical Notes as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Blackbody Radiation Spectrum thumbnail

15. Blackbody Radiation Spectrum

ejss_model_BlackbodyRadiationSpectrumwee

Explore Blackbody Radiation Spectrum as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Atomic Spectra Of Hydrogen And Red Shift thumbnail

16. Atomic Spectra Of Hydrogen And Red Shift

ejss_model_hydrogen

Explore Atomic Spectra Of Hydrogen And Red Shift as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Blackbody Radiation Spectrum thumbnail

17. Blackbody Radiation Spectrum

ejss_src_BlackbodyRadiationSpectrumwee / BlackbodyRadiationSpectrum / BlackbodyRadiationSpectrum

Open Blackbody Radiation Spectrum, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Differential Absorption Student Activities thumbnail

18. Differential Absorption Student Activities

ejss_src_DifferentialXRayAbsorbtionwee / Differential_Absorption_supplemental / Differential Absorption - Student Activities

Open Differential Absorption Student Activities, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
X Ray Spectrum Technical Notes thumbnail

19. X Ray Spectrum Technical Notes

ejss_src_XRaySpectrumwee / XRay_Spectrum_supplemental / XRaySpectrumTechNotes

Open X Ray Spectrum Technical Notes, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Atomic spectra Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
X Ray Imaging Physics thumbnail

20. X Ray Imaging Physics

ejss_model_XRayImagingwee

Explore X Ray Imaging Physics as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

X-rays Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
New thumbnail

21. New

ejss_model_XRayImagingwee / Imaging_Supplemental / imaging_intro

Explore New as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

X-rays Video OSPSG link Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
New thumbnail

22. New

ejss_src_XRayImagingwee / Imaging_Supplemental / imaging_intro

Open New, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

X-rays Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Laser Beam Profile thumbnail

23. Laser Beam Profile

ejss_model_Beam_Profile_Exercise_1_frem

Explore Laser Beam Profile as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Lasers and semiconductors Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 2: THE TEM 00 MODE: A CONTOUR PLOT thumbnail

24. Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 2: THE TEM 00 MODE: A CONTOUR PLOT

ejss_model_Beam_Profile_Exercise_2_frem

Explore Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 2: THE TEM 00 MODE: A CONTOUR PLOT as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Lasers and semiconductors Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 3: THE KNIFE EDGE PROFILE thumbnail

25. Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 3: THE KNIFE EDGE PROFILE

ejss_model_Beam_Profile_Exercise_3_frem

Explore Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 3: THE KNIFE EDGE PROFILE as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Lasers and semiconductors Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 4: FIT EXPERIMENTAL DATA TO THE MODEL KNIFE EDGE PROFILE thumbnail

26. Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 4: FIT EXPERIMENTAL DATA TO THE MODEL KNIFE EDGE PROFILE

ejss_model_Beam_Profile_Exercise_4_frem

Explore Laser Beam Profile EXERCISE 4: FIT EXPERIMENTAL DATA TO THE MODEL KNIFE EDGE PROFILE as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Lasers and semiconductors Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Laser Pumping thumbnail

27. Laser Pumping

ejss_model_laserpumping

Explore Laser Pumping as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Lasers and semiconductors Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Quantum Wave Packet thumbnail

28. Quantum Wave Packet

ejss_model_FreeParticleWavepacketwee

Explore Quantum Wave Packet as an interactive EJS simulation for waves and optics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Bound Eigenstate Superposition thumbnail

29. Bound Eigenstate Superposition

ejss_model_BoundEigenstateSuperpositionwee

Explore Bound Eigenstate Superposition as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Bound Eigenstate Superposition thumbnail

30. Bound Eigenstate Superposition

ejss_model_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem

Explore Bound Eigenstate Superposition as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Free Particle Wave Packet thumbnail

31. Free Particle Wave Packet

ejss_model_FreeParticleWavepacketwee / FreeParticleWavePacket / FreeParticleWavePacket (2)

Explore Free Particle Wave Packet as an interactive EJS simulation for waves and optics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Light Cone Simulator (Special And General Relativity) thumbnail

32. Light Cone Simulator (Special And General Relativity)

ejss_model_lightcone

Explore Light Cone Simulator (Special And General Relativity) as an interactive EJS simulation for waves and optics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Infinite Square Well Eigenfunctions thumbnail

33. Infinite Square Well Eigenfunctions

ejss_model_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / ISW_Superposition

Explore Infinite Square Well Eigenfunctions as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Michelson Interferometer thumbnail

34. Michelson Interferometer

ejss_model_michelsoninterferometer

Explore Michelson Interferometer as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Michelson Interferometer Model thumbnail

35. Michelson Interferometer Model

webejs_model_Michelson_Interferometer_Model

Run Michelson Interferometer Model as a browser-based WebEJS model for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Millikan Oil Drop Experiment thumbnail

36. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment

ejss_model_millikan

Explore Millikan Oil Drop Experiment as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Relativistic Dynamics In 1 D With A Constant Force thumbnail

37. Relativistic Dynamics In 1 D With A Constant Force

ejss_model_PICUP_Complete_RelativisticDynamics_frem

Explore Relativistic Dynamics In 1 D With A Constant Force as an interactive EJS simulation for mechanics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Relativistic Dynamics In 1 D With A Constant Force Exercise 10 N 11 thumbnail

38. Relativistic Dynamics In 1 D With A Constant Force Exercise 10 N 11

ejss_model_PICUP_Complete_RelativisticDynamics_faster_frem

Explore Relativistic Dynamics In 1 D With A Constant Force Exercise 10 N 11 as an interactive EJS simulation for mechanics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Relativity Length Lorentz Transformation thumbnail

39. Relativity Length Lorentz Transformation

ejss_model_relativity_LengthLorentzTransformation

Explore Relativity Length Lorentz Transformation as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Simple Harmonic Oscillator Eigenfunctions thumbnail

40. Simple Harmonic Oscillator Eigenfunctions

ejss_model_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / SHO_Superposition

Explore Simple Harmonic Oscillator Eigenfunctions as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Free Particle Wave Packet thumbnail

41. Free Particle Wave Packet

ejss_src_FreeParticleWavepacketwee / FreeParticleWavePacket / FreeParticleWavePacket (2)

Open Free Particle Wave Packet, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for waves and optics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Free Particle Wave Packet thumbnail

42. Free Particle Wave Packet

ejss_src_FreeParticleWavepacketwee / FreeParticleWavePacket / FreeParticleWavePacket

Open Free Particle Wave Packet, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for waves and optics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Infinite Square Well Eigenfunctions thumbnail

43. Infinite Square Well Eigenfunctions

ejss_src_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / ISW_Superposition

Open Infinite Square Well Eigenfunctions, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Simple Harmonic Oscillator Eigenfunctions thumbnail

44. Simple Harmonic Oscillator Eigenfunctions

ejss_src_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / SHO_Superposition

Open Simple Harmonic Oscillator Eigenfunctions, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Superposition Demo thumbnail

45. Superposition Demo

ejss_src_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / SuperpositionDemo

Open Superposition Demo, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Infinite Square Well Exercises thumbnail

46. Infinite Square Well Exercises

ejss_model_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / ISW_Superposition_Ex

Explore Infinite Square Well Exercises as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Simple Harmonic Oscillator Exercises thumbnail

47. Simple Harmonic Oscillator Exercises

ejss_model_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / SHO_Superposition_Ex

Explore Simple Harmonic Oscillator Exercises as an interactive EJS simulation for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Infinite Square Well Exercises thumbnail

48. Infinite Square Well Exercises

ejss_src_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / ISW_Superposition_Ex

Open Infinite Square Well Exercises, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Simple Harmonic Oscillator Exercises thumbnail

49. Simple Harmonic Oscillator Exercises

ejss_src_SuperpositionISWSHOfrem / SuperpositionDemo / SHO_Superposition_Ex

Open Simple Harmonic Oscillator Exercises, an interactive HTML5 learning activity for modern physics.

Quantum models Interactive Resource page Quiz not attempted here yet
Study Launch
Previous: Electromagnetic Induction Next: Nuclear Physics