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Classical mechanics assumes that light energy is a self-propagating, harmonic wave of electro-magnetic fields. It assumes that there is no limit to how small the energy in a light beam can be.

QM, on the other hand, assumes there is a limit to how small the energy within a "chunk" of light can be, and that size is given by the frequency of the light times Planck's Constant. With this assumption, the formula for frequency shift of scattered photons as a function of angle can be easily explained. Using only classical mechanics, deriving the formula is impossible.

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Q: Why classical mechanics fails to explain Compton effect?
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Inadequacies of classical mechanics in schrodinger's equation?

stability of atoms line spectrum of hydrogen atom compton effect photoelectric effect black body radiation


Where classical mechanics fails and quantum mechanics aeises?

Numerous places: 1) photo-electric effect. 2) black-body radiation spectrum. 3) spectrum of hydrogen emissions. 4) interference patterns of electrons through a slit. 5) compton scattering. All of the above can be easily explained by the existence of 'quanta,' but are impossible to explain through purely classical means.


How did quantum mechanics change our understanding of atoms?

Quantum mechanics explained principles like superposition of wave-particle duality of mater. It shaped a world where the classical laws of physics were merely a waste. It exposed to us a world of particles, that matter was made of many groups of particles each accomplishing a particular task just like our organs. With the help of quantum mechanics we were able to get a 3 dimensional idea of the atom. It was able to explain the screening effect and the stark effect. It was also able to construct exact shape of orbitals and explain the formation of various types of compounds( A theory called hybridization and VSEPR and MOT came in handy thanks to quantum mechanics). It also explained the idea that atoms were composed of a lot more particles and helped predict their states nature and characteristics.


Why is compton effect not observable with visible light?

in compton scattering it is necessary that the energy of the photon should be very much greater than binding energy of electron .. binding energy is equal to work function of metal . in most of metals , the threshold frequency is equal to that of ultravoilet light .that is why we do not observe comption effect with visible light.


What was Albert Einstein's contribution to our understanding of photoelectric effect?

He was the first one to successfully explain this effect, and thus created the basic form of what became modern Quantum Mechanics (a theory that in its final form he rejected because it is probabilistic not deterministic).Note: Einstein did not receive his Nobel Prize for Relativity, but for his work on Brownian Motion and the Photoelectric Effect.

Related questions

What are the reason the classical physics failed?

It is a macroscopic theory. Their theoretical values are not equal to the experimental values. The classical theory cannot explain the photoelectric effect,compton effect,magnetic properties briefly..... it obeys the classical mechanics. it does not briefly explain the atoms internal parts . hence it is rectified by quantum physics....!


Inadequacies of classical mechanics in schrodinger?

stability of atoms line spectrum of hydrogen atom compton effect photoelectric effect black body radiation


Inadequacies of classical mechanics in schrodinger's equation?

stability of atoms line spectrum of hydrogen atom compton effect photoelectric effect black body radiation


Can classical physics explain the photoelectric effect?

No. To explain the photoelectric effect, you have to think of light as a particle, not a wave. The fact that light can be both a wave and a particle is part of quantum mechanics, not classical physics.


Where classical mechanics fails and quantum mechanics aeises?

Numerous places: 1) photo-electric effect. 2) black-body radiation spectrum. 3) spectrum of hydrogen emissions. 4) interference patterns of electrons through a slit. 5) compton scattering. All of the above can be easily explained by the existence of 'quanta,' but are impossible to explain through purely classical means.


Why does classical physics fail to explain the photoelectric effect?

You have to take into consideration quantum mechanics and the fact that electrons absorb and emit in packets of energy.


What did Arthur Compton invent?

compton effect


What is the difference between particle and wave theory of light?

Particle theory of light can explain Photoelectric Effect,Compton effect,Pair production.... wave theory of light can explain interference,refraction...


When was The Compton Effect created?

The Compton Effect was created on 2007-06-05.


Classical physics CANNOT explain why?

There are many examples of what classical physics can not explain. (By classical physics we mean that which has its theoretical foundations before about 1900.) Quantum mechanics is absent from classical physics. Classical physics can not explain why atoms (positive nucleus attracted to surrounding electrons) is stable. Even the simplest atom, a hydrogen atom, would be unstable and the electron orbiting the proton would gradually radiate its energy and the orbit would decay. The photoelectric effect is an important historical example of the failure of classical physics. In that case, electromagnetic theory said that light was an electromagnetic wave. That was true enough but it does not account for the quantum nature of light and the characteristics that allow a photon to act like a discrete bundle of electromagnetic energy with properties like a particle. Virtually all of our understanding about the atomic structure and properties of matter depends on quantum mechanics, so the example of hydrogen is just symbolic of the need for modern physics for the entirety of our understanding about electronic properties of matter. One can choose to define classical physics to include relativity or not as one wishes, but it is fair to say that Newtonian mechanics does not explain relativistic mechanics. In particular, time dilation and length contraction are purely relativistic effects.


What are the proofs of the particles nature of light?

photo electric effect,compton's effect


What are the proofs of the particles of nature of light?

photo electric effect,compton's effect