Old Quantum Theory - Limitations of The Old Quantum Theory

Limitations of The Old Quantum Theory

The old quantum theory had some limitations:

  • The old quantum theory provides no means to calculate the intensities of the spectral lines;
  • It fails when applied to atoms with more than one electron. That is, it cannot be applied to many-body systems;
  • It fails to explain the anomalous Zeeman effect (that is, where the spin of the electron cannot be neglected).

It was later understood that the old quantum theory is in fact the semi-classical approximation (also called quasi-classical) to the Schrödinger equation which has limited applicability.

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