Clarification on Schrodinger's Equation

In summary, Schrodinger's Equation is a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics that describes particles in terms of their position, energy, and spin. The equation states that the total energy of a system is the sum of kinetic and potential energies. The solutions to the equation are known as wave functions, represented by the symbol psi, and they produce quantum numbers such as n, l, and m. When squared, the wave function gives the probability of a particle being in a specific position. However, the unsquared amplitude of the wave function has significance and is necessary in many calculations. The l/n/m quantum numbers only appear in specific problems involving a central-force potential. The quantum-mechanical operators, such as the Hamiltonian and energy operators,
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Are my thoughts correct? **Wave function just means the wave function psi. I will specify when the wave function is squared.

1.) Schrodinger's Equation describes particles-their position, energy, spin (through the "numbers" l, n, and m).
2.) Simplified, SE says the total energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energies of a system.
3.) Wave functions (psi) are the solutions to SE. Wave functions produce n, l, and m, and psi squared gives the probability of a particle being in a specific position.
4.) Wave functions have no significance until they are squared.
5.) Wave functions don't actually map out, point by point, or crest by crest, the possible path of a particle.
6.) Kinetic energy is directly proportional to psi; potential energy is inversely proportional to psi.
 
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  • #2
#5 and the first sentence in #3 are correct.
#4 is correct or not according to exactly what you mean by "significance". The unsquared amplitude cannot be directly measured (does that mean it has no significance?), but it is an interesting and important quantity and we work hard at calculating it because we need it (does that mean that it is very significant?).
The rest are not (and #4 and #6 contradict one another).

The l/n/m quantum numbers only appear when we apply Schrodinger's equation to one particular problem, a particle moving in a central-force potential. That's a very important problem (much of modern chemistry is built on it) but there are many more problems in which we use Schrodinger's equation to describe the evolution of the wave function without the l/n/m numbers ever making an appearance.

It's misleading to think of the quantum-mechanical Hamiltonian operator as just the sum of kinetic and potential energy, or the E operator ##i\hbar\frac{\partial}{\partial{t}}## as the total energy; neither ##H\psi## nor ##E\psi## are numbers so they can't be energies (although they are related to the energy and you can use them to calculate the expectation value of the energy in a given system). It's best to think of them as abstract mathematical objects that we use to construct the differential equation that we then solve to find ##\psi##.

Your best bet here may be to work through a first-year QM textbook. That can be a very frustrating process if you're doing it on your own, but there are plenty of people here who can help you through the hard spots.
 
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Related to Clarification on Schrodinger's Equation

1. What is Schrodinger's Equation?

Schrodinger's Equation is a mathematical formula that describes how quantum particles, such as electrons, behave in a given system. It is a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics and is used to predict the behavior of particles in various situations.

2. Who is Schrodinger and why is this equation named after him?

Erwin Schrodinger was an Austrian physicist who developed this equation in 1926 as part of his work on quantum mechanics. It is named after him as he was the first to publish it and is considered one of the founders of the field.

3. How is Schrodinger's Equation different from other equations in physics?

Schrodinger's Equation is a wave equation and is used to describe the behavior of particles at the quantum level. It differs from other equations in physics, such as Newton's laws of motion, which describe the behavior of macroscopic objects. Schrodinger's Equation is essential in understanding the behavior of particles in the microscopic world.

4. What does Schrodinger's Equation tell us about the behavior of quantum particles?

Schrodinger's Equation tells us about the probability of finding a quantum particle in a particular state or location. It describes the wave-like behavior of particles and how they can exist in multiple states simultaneously.

5. How is Schrodinger's Equation used in practical applications?

Schrodinger's Equation is used in many practical applications, such as in the development of new technologies like transistors and lasers. It is also used in chemistry to understand the behavior of atoms and molecules, and in the field of quantum computing. It has been a crucial tool in advancing our understanding of the microscopic world and has numerous applications in various scientific fields.

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