What Is the Difference Between Amplitude and Magnitude in Quantum Mechanics?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of amplitude and magnitude within the context of quantum mechanics, exploring their definitions and distinctions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to clarify the definitions of amplitude and magnitude, with some providing specific examples related to sinusoidal waves and their measurements.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the differences between amplitude and magnitude, with some participants offering insights into their meanings and relationships. The discussion includes considerations of how these terms apply in quantum mechanics, particularly regarding the nature of amplitude as potentially complex-valued.

Contextual Notes

Some participants question the context in which these terms are being used, indicating that the definitions may vary depending on the specific application within quantum mechanics.

jazzchan
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Amplitude ?? Magnitude ??

Dear all,

would you tell me what is the difference of Amplitude and Magnitude ??

thanks
 
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In what context?
 
Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium in a sinusoidal wave.
Magnitude is just the value of something; typically referring to scalar quantities.

It's sort of hard to describe magnitude.
 
Last edited:
Amplitude is also the maximum value of the magnitude. The magnitude is simply the absolute value of the displacement, and since the amplitude is the maximum value of the displacement, the amplitude will be the maximum of the magnitude.

If you took a tape measure and measured the distance between the equilibrium point and the current position for a given time for a wave, that's the magnitude.

If you took a tape measure and measured how far away the wave gets over all time, that's the amplitude.

cookiemonster
 
In QM, amplitude can be complex valued.
 

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