Until the end of the 19th century, an atom was considered as an indivisible particle. However, discovery of electrons themselves and their presence in all materials convinced scientists of a complex structure of atoms. Rutherford's famous experiments on scattering of alpha particles became of decisive importance in understanding the structure of an atom. Atomic physics now had all prerequisites for its development: this branch of physics studies the structure and state of atoms, i.e. the theory of atoms, atomic (optical) spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, radio spectroscopy and other problems. The physics of atoms and especially physics of molecules have a lot in common with problems considered by chemistry. There are no clear boundaries in the spheres of application of these sciences. A physician should have an idea of the nature of physical and physico-chemical processes taking place in the human body. Ultimately, these processes develop at the molecular level, so, in this, we consider problems related to energy transformation of molecules in biological systems (chemilluminescence, photobiological phenomena, etc.). These subjects are covered by the term "quantum biophysics", apparently in connotation with quantum mechanics.
Chapter 28
Wave properties of particles. Introduction to quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics is a modern theory that establishes a way of describing and laws of motion of micro-particles (elementary particles, atoms, molecules, and nuclei) and their systems. In comparison with the classical physics, the quaint nature of quantum mechanical concepts paved the way for rejecting basic physical models, which used to look obvious and inviolable. This mainly affected the concept of a particle and the principles of its motion.