First-year university introductory quantum physics
Study first-year university photons, matter waves and quantum energy levels in sequence, with optional extensions, a topic check and written practice.
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Before you begin
UY1 introductory quantum physics is about controlled interpretation: state what is measured, what is modelled and what each equation predicts. Keep units and scale checks explicit (eV, nm, SI) before moving on to Schrödinger derivations.
Learning goals
- Use photon and matter-wave models to interpret foundational quantum evidence.
- Interpret wavefunctions, probability, superposition, and uncertainty without classical-category errors.
- Analyse simple bound systems and spectra, including assumptions and limiting behaviour.
Lessons
Work through them in order.
- Photoelectric evidence for photonsExplain how the threshold frequency in the photoelectric effect is evidence for photons.From GCE A-Level H2 Physics
- Photon energy and momentumUse E = hf and p = h/λ for photons, and separate photon energy from photon rate.From GCE A-Level H2 Physics
- Einstein’s equation and stopping potentialApply Kₘₐₓ = hf - Φ and stopping potential to photoelectric data and graphs.Beyond the syllabus
- Matter-wave evidence and de Broglie wavelengthUse the de Broglie wavelength, and explain electron diffraction and single-particle interference as evidence for matter waves.From GCE A-Level H2 Physics
- Wavefunctions, probability density and superpositionUse |ψ|² as a probability density and normalise simple wavefunctions.From GCE A-Level H2 Physics
- Localisation and momentum uncertaintyUse the uncertainty principle to relate position confinement to momentum spread.From GCE A-Level H2 Physics
Practise and check
Or choose
Topic reference
Going further
- H3 quantum mechanics — Full derivations.
- Introduction to quantum mechanics — Postulate-level formal framing.
- Wave function and Schrödinger equation — Governing-equation setup and interpretation.
- Time-independent Schrödinger equation — Stationary-state methods.
- Particle in a box — Quantized eigenstate interpretation.