Difference between Schrodinger's equation and wave function?

In summary, Schrodinger's equation and the wave function are two distinct concepts. Schrodinger's equation is the equation that the wave function satisfies, while the wave function itself is not the same as the equation. This is explained by David J. Griffiths in the beginning of his second edition.
  • #1
Kiley
29
3
Is there a difference between Schrodinger's equation and the wave function? In the beginning of the second edition by David J. Griffiths he compares the classical F(x,t) and Schrodinger's equation and I am having trouble understanding the connection.
 
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  • #2
Kiley said:
Is there a difference between Schrodinger's equation and the wave function?

Of course; Schrodinger's equation is the equation that the wave function satisfies, which is obviously not the same as the wave function itself.
 
  • #3
PeterDonis said:
Of course; Schrodinger's equation is the equation that the wave function satisfies, which is obviously not the same as the wave function itself.
OK, thank you for your reply Peter.
 

What is Schrodinger's equation?

Schrodinger's equation is a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics that describes how a quantum system evolves over time. It is a partial differential equation that combines classical mechanics and wave mechanics to predict the behavior of quantum particles.

What is a wave function in quantum mechanics?

A wave function is a mathematical description of a quantum system that contains all the information about the system's position, momentum, and energy. It is represented by a complex-valued function and is used to calculate the probability of finding a particle in a particular state.

What is the difference between Schrodinger's equation and wave function?

Schrodinger's equation is a mathematical equation that describes the evolution of a quantum system over time, while a wave function is a mathematical function that represents the state of a quantum system at a particular moment in time.

How does Schrodinger's equation relate to the wave function?

Schrodinger's equation is used to calculate the time evolution of a wave function. It takes the initial wave function as an input and produces a new wave function that represents the system at a later time.

Why is Schrodinger's equation important in quantum mechanics?

Schrodinger's equation is fundamental to understanding the behavior of quantum systems. It allows us to make predictions about the behavior of quantum particles and has been instrumental in developing technologies such as transistors, lasers, and MRI machines.

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