Solution for a Single Free Particle: Difference between revisions

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m (Carlosmsilva moved page Solution for a Single Free Particle in 1-Dimension to Solution for a Single Free Particle: Moved to reflect the broadest physical solution for a free particle)
(Introduced the concept of the Schrodinger Equation and the Free Particle)
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'''Claimed by Carlos M. Silva (Spring 2022)'''
'''Claimed by Carlos M. Silva (Spring 2022)'''
The Schrödinger Equation is a [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_differential_equation linear] [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_differential_equation partial differential equation] that governs the [[Wave-Particle Duality | wave function]] of a [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics quantum mechanical system]<ref name="Griffts Quantum">Griffiths, David J. (2004). Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-111892-8.</ref>. Similar to [[Newton's Second Law: the Momentum Principle | Newton's Laws]], the Schrödinger Equation is an equation of motion, meaning that it's capable of describing the time-evolution of a position analog of a system.
The free particle is the name given to the system consisting of a single particle subject to a null or constant potential everywhere in space. It's the simplest system to which the Schrödinger Equation has a solution with physical meaning.
Although the free-particle solution does not have ample practical use in the field of Physics, the methods and conclusions that come from the solution of this system are of great use in a plethora of other quantum systems.
==References==

Revision as of 16:50, 16 April 2022

Claimed by Carlos M. Silva (Spring 2022)

The Schrödinger Equation is a linear partial differential equation that governs the wave function of a quantum mechanical system[1]. Similar to Newton's Laws, the Schrödinger Equation is an equation of motion, meaning that it's capable of describing the time-evolution of a position analog of a system.

The free particle is the name given to the system consisting of a single particle subject to a null or constant potential everywhere in space. It's the simplest system to which the Schrödinger Equation has a solution with physical meaning.

Although the free-particle solution does not have ample practical use in the field of Physics, the methods and conclusions that come from the solution of this system are of great use in a plethora of other quantum systems.


References

  1. Griffiths, David J. (2004). Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-111892-8.