The Development of Wave Mechanics: From Rays to Schrödinger's Equation, Slides of Physics

Download The Development of Wave Mechanics: From Rays to Schrödinger's Equation and more Slides Physics in PDF only on Docsity! Wave Function Docsity.com Rays and Waves  • Optics can often be described  by rays.  – Lenses and mirrors  – Deterministic    • Light rays follow the path of  least time.    • Mechanics can be written the  same way.  – Equivalent to minimizing   • Ray optics fails to account for  interference.    • Theorists in the 1800’s wondered  if there should be a wave version  of mechanics as well.     xp Docsity.com Complex Values  • Schrödinger’s wave equation  requires complex values for the  wavefunction .  – Cannot be directly measured  • The wavefunction has the  properties of a real wave.  – Superposition  – Interference and diffraction   EU x i x i m            2 1 Rough one dimensional form without time dependence Docsity.com Probability Waves ¢ The wavefunction cannot be directly measured and is an information wave. — Represents the state of a system ¢ The square of the wavefunction relates to the probability of a particular measurement occurring. — Compare intensity to amplitude of an EM wave ® Docsity.com Indeterminate Outcome  • The wavefunction can be used to  predict a probability.  – Observable variable selected  – Value established by  measurement    • The electron in the Bohr atom  has a probability of being at a  given radius.  – Radius of Bohr equation most  likely  next Docsity.com