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taphead739 t1_j4rn0b7 wrote

It is a natural consequence of the wave-particle duality. If we go back to classical mechanics, angular momentum is present when something moves along a circular path. Very small particles are also waves, and the frequency (number of times the wave function goes up and down per length unit) is a measure for their (angular) momentum. The wave function must now "fit" the circumference - meaning that if you go around the circle the whole 360°, you must end up with the same value of the wave function and are not allowed to have a sudden step. This only works if the circumference is an integer multiple of the wavelength. As a consequence, only certain wavelenghts and frequencies are allowed, and the same is true for angular momentum.

This is a very simplified picture, of course, but I hope it gets the principle across.

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