Abstract

The quantum condition describes the angular momentum of a quantum system. The angular momentum is an integer multiple of Planck?s constant. Bohr and Einstein sought a classical explanation for the quantum condition. Schr?dinger incorporated Bohr's quantum condition and determined the intensity of the atomic spectrum. Rutherford searched for a solution, gave up, and began his work with the nucleus. Over one hundred years have passed since a classical connection was sought. None of the great scientists has discovered a classical explanation for the quantum condition. The mystery remains today and is embodied in the duality of particles and waves.

This author has discovered a classical link to the quantum condition. The link is the elastic limit of space. The introduction of the elastic limit reveals the path of the quantum transition and provides insight into the duality of particles and waves. Convention represents the matter wave as the superposition of an infinite number of component waves. The Fourier addition of component waves localizes the matter wave. Waves, other than the matter wave, are localized by restraining forces. This author proposes that the natural forces are pinned into the structure of matter (restrained) at a discontinuity produced by the elastic limit of space. Reflections are produced at the discontinuity. The superposition of the incident and reflected wave is the deBroglie wave of matter.