Electron wave funtion harmonic oscillator

In summary, the conversation discusses the real part of the wave function and its relationship with the potential and frequency in a Phet simulator. It also mentions a real-imaginary animation on Wikipedia and compares the frequency and speed of the oscillation in different images. The response clarifies that the variations in the wave function are not related to frequency and explains the difference between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics
  • #1
jhonnyS
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TL;DR Summary
the electron wave function for a determined energy level, without superposition of states, decreases its frequency as the distance from the center increases. So the "oscilation" shouldn't be slower with distance from the center?
As we see in this Phet simulator, this is only the real part of the wave function, the frequency decreases with the potential, so lose energy as moves away the center.
244048

we se this real-imaginary animation in Wikipedia, wave C,D,E,F. Because with less energy, the frequency of quantum wave decreases, and the speed decreases too, the oscillation wouldn't be slower acording to frequency variation in image F for example? (the same way we see image D oscillating slower than F)
QuantumHarmonicOscillatorAnimation.gif

The desired response, without formulas, and without Schrödinger time independent ecuation, just explained

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_harmonic_oscillator
thank you!
 
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  • #2
Hello jhonny, ##\quad## :welcome: ##\quad## !

jhonnyS said:
and the speed decreases too
No. CDEF are not 'moving': they are solutions of the SE consisting of solutions of the TISE times ##e^{i\omega t}##. For those ##<x(t)>=0##: the expectation value for the position is zero (i.e. constant).
 
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  • #3
jhonnyS said:
As we see in this Phet simulator
Your interpretation of the variations in the wave function as 'frequency' is wrong: those are (spatial) variations in the wave function, nothing else. ##\ \Psi^2\ ## is a probability density and that is fluctuating, unlike in a clssical harmonic oscillator.

Even if you hate formulas you can look at this difference between QM and classical
 

What is an electron wave function harmonic oscillator?

An electron wave function harmonic oscillator is a mathematical function that describes the behavior of an electron in a harmonic oscillator potential. It is a solution to the Schrödinger equation and represents the probability amplitude of finding an electron in a certain position in space.

What is a harmonic oscillator potential?

A harmonic oscillator potential is a type of potential energy function that is used to model the behavior of a system that experiences a restoring force proportional to its displacement from equilibrium. It is often used to describe the behavior of a vibrating system, such as a pendulum or a mass on a spring.

What is the significance of the energy levels in an electron wave function harmonic oscillator?

The energy levels in an electron wave function harmonic oscillator represent the allowed energy states that an electron can occupy in the system. These energy levels are quantized, meaning they can only take on certain discrete values, and are determined by the properties of the harmonic oscillator potential.

How does the electron wave function change as the energy level increases?

As the energy level increases in an electron wave function harmonic oscillator, the amplitude of the wave function decreases and the number of nodes (points of zero amplitude) increases. This means that the electron is more likely to be found in regions of higher energy and less likely to be found in regions of lower energy.

What is the relationship between the electron wave function and the probability of finding an electron in a certain position?

The square of the electron wave function, known as the probability density, represents the probability of finding an electron in a certain position in space. This means that the higher the amplitude of the wave function at a certain point, the higher the probability of finding the electron at that point.

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