Questions tagged [wavefunction]
A complex scalar field that describes a quantum mechanical system. The square of the modulus of the wave function gives the probability of the system to be found in a particular state. DO NOT USE THIS TAG for classical waves.
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Sudden change in the Hamiltonian
Could someone explain what this sentence mean? "If the Hamiltonian changes suddenly by a finite amount, the wavefunction must change continuously in order that the time-dependent Schrodinger equation ...
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3D Quantum harmonic oscillator
For an isotropic 3D QHO in a potential $$V(x,y,z)={1\over 2}m\omega^2(x^2+y^2+z^2).$$ I can see by independence of the potential in the $x,y,z$ coordinates that the solution to the Schrodinger ...
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Projection of states after measurement
Continuing from the my previous 2-state system problem, I am told that the observable corresponding to the linear operator $\hat{L}$ is measured and we get the +1 state. Then it asks for the ...
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Plotting a wave function that represents a particle
The problem is this:
A particle is represented by the wave function $\psi = e^{-(x-x_{0})^2/2\alpha}\sin kx$. Plot the wave function $\psi$ and the probability distribution $|\psi(x)|^2$.
This the ...
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Schematic expression of the Schrodinger equation
it would be great if someone could help me understand the following quote regarding wavefunctions :)
"$$\psi(x)=\sum_n C_nu_n(x)+\int dE C(E)u_E(x)$$ The expression is schematic because we have not ...
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Radial Schrodinger equation with inverse power law potential
Recently I read a paper about solving radial Schrodinger equation with inverse power law potential.
Consider the radial Schrodinger equation(simply set $\mu=\hbar=1$):
$$\left(-\frac{1}{2}\Delta+V(\...
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Determining wave function for term symbol 1D
I am trying to follow a book (Introduction to Ligand Field Theory by Ballhausen in 1962 on pg 15), but it isn't clear how they make a particular leap.
Background
I want to find the wave function for ...
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Is the wave function objective or subjective?
Here is a question I am curious about.
Is the wave function objective or subjective, or is such a question meaningless?
Conventionally, subjectivity is as follows: if a quantity is subjective then ...
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Historical background of wave function collapse
I wonder what were the main experiments that led people to develop the concept of wave function collapse? (I think I am correct in including the Born Rule within the general umbrella of the collapse ...
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Confusion between the de Broglie wavelength of a particle and wave packets
So I learned that the de Broglie wavelength of a particle, $\lambda = \frac{h}{p}$, where h is Planck's constant and p is the momentum of the particle. I also learned that a quantum mechanics ...
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Help me to visualize this wave equation in time, to which direction it moves?
The wave is
$$\bar{E} = E_{0} \ \mathrm{sin}\left(\frac{2\pi z}{\lambda} + \omega t\right) \bar{i} + E_{0} \ \mathrm{cos} \left(\frac{2 \pi z}{\lambda}+\omega t\right) \bar{j}.$$
Let's simplify with $...
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Simple Quantum Mechanics question about the Free particle, (part1)
I am reading Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David Griffiths and I am in Ch2 page 59. He starts out writing the time dependent Schrödinger equation and the solution for $\psi(x,t)$ for the free ...
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Wavefunction normalization
How do we normalize a wavefunction that's a linear combination of sines and cosines (or of $Ae^{ikx}+Be^{-ikx}$ -- they're the same, right)? One you square it, wouldn't the integrand be oscillating ...
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Scattering vs bound states
Why are these states called as such, and how do they differ? I vaguely understand that when $E > 0$ you obtain a scattering state, but when $E < 0$ you have a bound state.
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Is there a direct physical interpretation for the complex wavefunction?
The Schrödinger equation in non-relativistic quantum mechanics yields the time-evolution of the so-called wavefunction corresponding to the system concerned under the action of the associated ...
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