Schrodinger Equation: Kinetic Energy Impact?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Schrödinger equation and its incorporation of the Hamiltonian, which includes the kinetic energy operator. The kinetic energy is expressed as Ekin = p2/2m, where p is momentum. The conversion of momentum to the operator form (p → -i∂x) allows for the Hamiltonian to act on quantum states. The participants clarify that while kinetic energy is a constant in the equation, its impact on the evolution of quantum states is nuanced and dependent on the system's characteristics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Schrödinger equation
  • Familiarity with Hamiltonian mechanics
  • Knowledge of quantum operators and wave functions
  • Basic concepts of kinetic and potential energy in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Schrödinger equation in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the relationship between classical and quantum Hamiltonians
  • Learn about the implications of kinetic energy in quantum state evolution
  • Investigate the role of angular momentum in quantum mechanics
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on quantum mechanics, as well as educators seeking to clarify the relationship between kinetic energy and quantum state evolution.

HarryDaniels
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I am sure you are all aware of the Schrödinger equation.

The Hamiltonian is included in this equations, which contains the Kinetic energy operator. When Schrödinger wrote thi he converted momentum to the unit imaginary number, the reduced Planck constant and the Delta operator.

My question is that this means that the Kinetic energy will be the same regardless of the characteristics of the quantum level particle. This does not make sense, surely the kinetic energy will affect the evolution of the state, due to the fact that it is energy.

Thanks to whoever clears this up for me.

-H
 
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HarryDaniels said:
I am sure you are all aware of the Schrödinger equation.

The Hamiltonian is included in this equations, which contains the Kinetic energy operator. When Schrödinger wrote thi he converted momentum to the unit imaginary number, the reduced Planck constant and the Delta operator.

My question is that this means that the Kinetic energy will be the same regardless of the characteristics of the quantum level particle. This does not make sense, surely the kinetic energy will affect the evolution of the state, due to the fact that it is energy.

Thanks to whoever clears this up for me.

-H

Can you clarify your question?

The Hamiltonian is E = Ke + V where Ke is the kinetic component and V is the potential component.

Kinetic energy is related to the angular momentum and the momentum at any given point is the curvature of the particle at that point which changes with quantum state.
 
I am not sure if you are aware of the relation between the classical Hamilton function and the Hamilton operator.

In both classical and quantum mechanics we can write

H = E_\text{kin} + E_\text{pot}

The kinetic energy is expressed via the momentum as

E_\text{kin} = \frac{p^2}{2m}

In quantum mechanics you replace

p \to \hat{p} = -i\partial_x

and therefore you convert the Hamilton function in an operator acting on quantum states or wave functions.
 

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