# Wave function in SHM

by Saxby
Tags: function, simple, wave
 P: 44 What is the wave function of a simple harmonic wave? y(x,t)=Asin(ωt+kx)
 P: 6 y(x,t)=Asin(ωt+kx) is the equation of motion for a simple harmonic oscillator. You get this by solving Newton's force law.. $F=ma=-kx \\ ma+kx=0 \\ a+\frac{k}{m}x=0$ Or you can write $\ddot{x}+\frac{k}{m}x=0$ This is a differential equation, solved by Asin(ωt+kx), where $\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$. I'm not sure if this answers your question?
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P: 982
 Quote by sleepycoffee y(x,t)=Asin(ωt+kx) is the equation of motion for a simple harmonic oscillator. You get this by solving Newton's force law.. $F=ma=-kx \\ ma+kx=0 \\ a+\frac{k}{m}x=0$ Or you can write $\ddot{x}+\frac{k}{m}x=0$ This is a differential equation, solved by Asin(ωt+kx), where $\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$. I'm not sure if this answers your question?
He was asking for the wave function. You need to solve it with the Schrodinger equation, not Newtons laws.

P: 6

## Wave function in SHM

This is posted in classical physics, however.. and in any case if it is undergoing simple harmonic motion then it isn't a quantum harmonic oscillator, so I don't see any reason to be messing around with Schrodingers.
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P: 982
 Quote by sleepycoffee This is posted in classical physics, however.. and in any case if it is undergoing simple harmonic motion then it isn't a quantum harmonic oscillator, so I don't see any reason to be messing around with Schrodingers.
Fair enough, it is a bit ambiguous eh?

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