Atomic spectra was used to support the idea that electrons can jump between energy levels or ‘stationary states’ in the atom. Schrödinger rejected this and thought a more natural explanation was to view the electron as a standing wave changing frequencies. The notion of the ‘spin’ of an electron was an example of mathematical expediency at work, rather than anything physically real.

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Heisenberg and Schrödinger had competing theories about the atomic model: Heisenberg took a discontinuous particle approach and his rival Schrödinger, a continuous wave approach. Heisenberg prevailed by hi-jacking Schrödinger's wave equation which had been intended to describe real phenomena, and along with Max Born, turned it into a probability calculator for the whereabouts of a particle. This led to a certain amount of confusion and the so-called 'particle-wave duality’.

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An account of Einstein's interpretation of the photo-electric effect involving discrete photons. His analysis had ontological consequences, namely the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, which he later criticised as an incomplete and self contradictory theory.

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The first of six podcasts in the search of the true identity of the quantum: is it a particle or a wave or both; or a mathematical entity which has some utility in solving equations. The remaining podcasts in this series are:

2. Einstein's Other Blunder – the photo-electric effect misinterpretation

3. Heisenberg, the Salieri of Physics – how Heisenberg sabotaged his rival Schrödinger

4. Quantum Circus: Jumps and Spins – questions the Bohr model of the atom

5. Magic Particles – examines the concept of entanglement or 'spooky action at a distance'

6. The Quantum Cat meets the Quantum Computer – how both are chimeras

More detailed analysis, booklists, additional material and scientific papers can be found at www.quantumid.science

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