The addition of the wave functions for a system

ashutoshsharma
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the wave functions of individual particles can be added together to create a wave function for for system, that means quantum theory allows physicists to examine many particles at once??...how is it possible if the wave function of each particles is different??...is it based on rules of probability??
 
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ashutoshsharma said:
the wave functions of individual particles can be added together to create a wave function for for system,
Not added. One must form the "tensor product" of the two Hilbert spaces.
 
Consider a single particle wave function ψ(x) for a single particle. Adding two such wave functions ψa(x) + ψb(x) still describes one single particle.

In order to describe two particles you have to introduce two positions x and y and you have to use the product ψa(x) * ψb(y)
 
tom.stoer said:
Consider a single particle wave function ψ(x) for a single particle. Adding two such wave functions ψa(x) + ψb(x) still describes one single particle.

In order to describe two particles you have to introduce two positions x and y and you have to use the product ψa(x) * ψb(y)

and isn't it guided by the rules of probability?
 
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