Support materials only that illustrate some possible contexts for exploring Science as a Human Endeavour concepts in relation to Science Understanding content.
Max Planck and Einstein were the first to describe light and energy as being quantised, a finding that led to light being described as spatially quantised photons of energy. The Bohr model of the atom was built on this quantised description of light energy and Rutherford’s nuclear model. The Bohr model was a quantum-based modification to Rutherford’s model and was rapidly accepted due to its ability to explain the emission lines of atomic hydrogen. Prior to Bohr’s model, the Rydberg formula describing the wavelengths of spectral lines of many chemical elements was known but could not be explained. A more elaborate quantum mechanical model of the atom, however, was required to explain other observations made about atoms. The quantum mechanical model of the atom uses quantum theory and describes electron orbitals that can be used to calculate the probability of finding an electron at a specific point (ACSPH123).
All objects in the universe, including the sun and Earth, emit black body radiation. The natural temperature of Earth can be predicted using the Stefan-Boltzmann black body radiation equation which assumes there is a balance between incoming and outgoing radiation. The true temperature is significantly higher due to the absorption of emitted black body radiation from the surface by molecules in the atmosphere (the greenhouse effect). Models of Earth’s energy balance enable scientists to monitor changes in global temperature, assess the evidence for changes in climate due to the enhanced greenhouse effect, and evaluate the risk posed by anthropogenic climate change (ACSPH125). Further development of models of Earth’s energy dynamics and climate change enables scientists to more accurately predict the scenarios that will result in global warming, the time frames involved, and the likely impacts of these changes (ACSPH128).