Can a Wavefunction Change State After Collapse with Disturbance?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter andrewthorn
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collapse Wavefunction
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

After a wavefunction collapses, the system can indeed change to a new state if disturbed, such as altering the potential energy of a particle. For instance, a particle initially in the ground state can transition to an excited state when the potential changes. The probability of this state change can be calculated using the principles of quantum mechanics, specifically through the time evolution governed by the Hamiltonian as described by the Schrödinger equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wavefunction collapse in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with the Schrödinger equation
  • Knowledge of Hamiltonian mechanics
  • Basic concepts of quantum state transitions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of wavefunction collapse in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about Hamiltonian dynamics and its role in quantum state evolution
  • Explore methods for calculating transition probabilities in quantum systems
  • Investigate potential energy changes and their effects on quantum states
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the dynamics of wavefunctions and state transitions in quantum systems.

andrewthorn
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Once a wavefunction has collapsed, can the system change to a new state if we disturb the system?

For example, if we have a particle in a state of well defined energy (e.g. ground state) and then suddenly change the potential of the particle, can it change to a new state (e.g. excited state)?

How could one work out the probability of it changing state after the disturbance?

Thanks, I'd be grateful if you can contribute to all or just part of my question.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
After wave function collapse, the time evolution of the wave function is again deterministic and governed by the Hamiltonian via the Schoredinger equation. So if you change the Hamiltonian, you will affect the evolution.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Can particles appear and disappear "with" a cause?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Can we say a photon doesn't exist until the wavefunction collapses?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Undergrad What's the significance of HUP if Ψ collapses?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Concept of wavefunction and particle within Quantum Field Theory
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad Density Operators of Pure States
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Graduate Collapse in QM: in conflict with SR?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Undergrad Master` Equation for the Penrose-Diosi wavefunction collapse
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Extremely elementary questions about QM
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
Undergrad Does the wave function spread more quickly after it is observed?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Undergrad Symmetric and Antisymmetric Wavefunction
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K