Quantum Theory for the Chemistry Impaired
By Katelyn Danczyk ’18
Almost completely shrouded in mystery
There is a model called Quantum Theory
It explains electrons, the smallest particle,
But baffles many scientists because it is quite illogical.
Thomson found the first electron.
Then Bohr continued in the right direction,
Finding an electron’s ground state and quantum number.
Schrödinger then awoke from his slumber,
Adding to and correcting the conditions
Allowing elements to apply to the theory in addition.
Many things are explained in this theory;
For example, the electron natural duality.
An electron can both behave
Like a particle and a wave.
This theory has also shown
Why path and location cannot be known
At the same time, for science’s sake,
We won’t know the place if we know what route it takes.
Heisenberg is the man who figured this out,
Creating the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, without any doubt.
Atomic orbitals help explain an electron’s location;
Creating a 3-D model in experimentation.
With principal energy levels
Where electrons travel straight, without bevel
Sublevels break apart these shells,
Storing electrons in little cells
You can call each atom a bit of a hoarder
There are four sublevel types, in order.
Sphere, dumbbell, clover, and flower.
Each increasing in their power
Of how many electrons it can hold.
A sphere can hold two, but that isn’t bold.
The mighty dumbbell that can hold six,
For three types is how the P-shape ticks.
A clover can hold ten at its maximum.
The flower sublevel looks like a chrysanthemum
Because it holds fourteen electrons as its objective.
Now don’t you see the world in a whole new perspective?
One atom has a lot of complexity
Packed all together, each and every itty-bitty.
Quantum Theory is now explained,
And I hope that you have been entertained.
What is Reality?
By Tyler Baim ’18
What is it about a dark room,
that makes it so eerie?
What is it about an empty house
when hearing the slightest noise,
make us tremble.
We know nothing is in that dark room,
nothing is in that empty house.
Yet something in our minds though,
make us feel otherwise.
I am breathing but I am not alive.
I am not blind, but I cannot see.
I am just like you, but I am alone.
Surrounded by people whose breath wreak
of lies, torment, profanity, and vulgar comments.
Where did we learn to be such inhumane,
unjust creatures?
We act as if the world can only do us harm,
and no good.
But is that really the case?
All of these faceless nobodies
lurking around us making us feel microscopic.
Til death do us part will society always have the better say?
On how we are treated,
where our popularity is ranked,
and what and when we can say something?
Why are they in the driver’s seat?
We didn't give them the keys, no.
They formed their own out of our tears,
out of our pleads for help,
out of our stone cold apologies,
out of our lifeless, unimaginative,
lonely souls.
We are just a bunch of lonely souls,
looking for help in this disgusting world.