Chemistry 362
Spring 2017
Dr. Jean M. Standard
January 18, 2017
Introductory Assignment – 6 points
This assignment is worth 6 points and will count toward the first 25-point project. The assignment is due on
Wednesday, January 25, at the beginning of class.
1. (1 point) The picture at left is of Albert Einstein. Not only was he the
developer of the theory of relativity, he won a Nobel Prize for an idea that is
much more closely related to one of the key topics of this course, the quantum
theory. For what did Einstein win the Nobel Prize, and how is it related to this
course?
2. (1 point) Pictured at right is a scientist who is sometimes referred to as the
founder of quantum theory. He now has a physical constant named in his
honor. Who is he, what was his role in the founding of quantum theory, and
what is the numerical value of his constant?
3. (1 point) At left is a picture of another famous scientist who is credited with
one of the most important developments of quantum theory. He won the Nobel
Prize in Physics in 1933 for his contributions to quantum theory. Who is he
and what did he develop?
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4. (3 points) Is quantum mechanics, which was developed in the early 1900s, important today? Or is it just one of
those dreary old mathematical theories that professors make you learn even though they have no relevance?
In answer to those questions: there are a myriad of applications in society today, both of the everyday variety and
also of the high-tech variety, that rely on the theory of quantum mechanics.
One high-tech example of current interest is called a quantum dot. What is a quantum dot? What are some
typical elemental compositions of quantum dots?
How big are quantum dots? (Give a specific size or range of sizes.)
List some possible applications of quantum dots.
Find one article from the scientific literature related to applications (or potential applications) of quantum dots.
Turn in a copy of the article with your assignment, and write a one paragraph summary of the article.