How Does Schrödinger's Wave Equation Describe Quantum Particles?

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SUMMARY

Schrödinger's wave equation, represented as HΨ(x,t) = EΨ(x,t), is a fundamental non-relativistic equation in quantum mechanics that describes the wave function associated with a particle's motion under a potential energy function V[x,t]. The discussion highlights the limitations of the Schrödinger equation, particularly its inability to account for particle spin, which is addressed by the Dirac equation. The Klein-Gordon equation, while a step towards a relativistic framework, fails to predict spin and is thus considered incomplete. The normalization condition for wave functions, ∫ψ*ψ dx = 1, ensures the total probability of finding a particle is one, affirming the existence of the particle within quantum mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Schrödinger's wave equation and its formulation
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics concepts such as wave functions and normalization
  • Knowledge of the Klein-Gordon equation and its limitations
  • Awareness of the Dirac equation and its implications for particle physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the Dirac equation on particle spin and antiparticles
  • Explore the differences between non-relativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the normalization condition and its significance in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about the role of wave functions in representing quantum states beyond particles
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Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational equations of quantum theory and their implications for particle behavior.

el_excellencicc
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..i, am assured this is the right place for this thread -

i, am interested in any arguments [ higher \ otherwise ] anyone may have, of: schroedinger's theory of QM ...in particula his differential QM wave equation, viz: solution Psi[x,t] giving the wave function to be associated with the motion of a particl of mass m under forces described by the potential energy function V[x,t], et cetera ..

..adios..

el_excellencicc
 
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Um, I wonder if force can be a well-defined quantity in QM under potentials...

I cannot say I agree with you about the "wave function associated with the motion of particle", rather I think Schrödinger equation smears the image of classical particle and no one really knows about what the wave function \Psi(x,t) really is. Till this day, leading physicists admits that they don't exact understand the true nature of quantum mechanics in the documentary "The Elegant Universe".

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html"

For me, |\Psi(x,t)|^2 and <\phi|\Psi(x,t)|\phi> seems to have a more "physical meaning" than the wave function itself.

It is important to notice that Schrödinger equation is a non-relativistic equation (Schrödinger tried unsuccessfully to formulate the quantum version). Schrödinger's equation can be deduced through conservation of energy assigning physical quantities to operators (with some ingenuity of course:rolleyes: ). We can write Schrödinger equation as simply as

H\Psi(x,t)=E\Psi(x,t)

The next step towards a realtivistic "equation of motion" for quantum mechanics is the Klein-Gordon equation incoporating Einstein's energy-mass relation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klein-Gordon_equation"

I'm not this advance yet on this issue, but I think that one major flaw of the Klein-Gordon equation is that it does not predict the "spin" of elctrons.
The next step is the Dirac equation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation"

Dirac equation not only predicts spins, it also predicts the existence of antiparticle.
 
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schroedinger/Hyperreality

thank you Hyperreality. - have you an argument, for:



http://www.pichotel.com/pic/1750Cz5l5/26452.gif




...giving the total probability of finding somewhere the particl described by the wave function [; the probability must equal one if there is a particl,] ... vis-a-vis: normalisation


...adios
 
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schroedinger's equation

i, think :

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/1750Cz5l5/26475.gif

..may; if, one assumes: schroedinger's equation to be right - is justifiable in QM history ..but: may be bettered, with: algebra and parallelising and apparelment; prehaps .. see the equation with the tautology, of; others !

- substantsively, there is no doubt, of: schroedinger's greatness .


adios
 
the normalisation condition, namely

\int^{-\infty}_{\infty} \psi^* \psi dx = 1

(at least for square integrable functions defined over [-\infty, \infty][/tex]) is merely saying that the particle must exist somewhere.<br /> <br /> Also note that wavefunctions do not only describe particles; they are representations of the state vector in |x&gt; basis.
 
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