Penfold L1 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is classical mechanics
classical mechanics is anything visible which we can describe
What is quantum mechanics
quantum mechanics describes very small length scales
What is planks constant
planks constant is what controls the length scale in which quantum effects are important
What is the most popular description of classical mechanics and what does this tell us about classical mechanics
newtonian mechanics is the most popular description of classical mechanics and describe how allowable energies for classical mechanics are continuous values and deterministic
What is H in the Schrödinger equation
h is the Hamiltonian
H is conserved as energy is not created nor destroyed
What does the Hamiltonian describe
The Hamiltonian describes the system
- describes everything mathematically about a molecule that you need to know
In the equation
H = T+V
What is T
T is kinetic energy
In the equation H = T+V
What is V
V is potential energy
What is de broglie equation
px = h/λ = ħkx
P is momentum
h is planks constant
λ - is wavelength
ħ - reduced planks constant
Kx - wavenumber
What is planks relations
E = hv = ħw
E - energy
V - frequency
ħ - reduced planks constant
W - frequency of the wave
How do we calculate k
k = 2pi/λ
λ - wavelength
How do we calculate ħ
ħ = h/2pi
Where h is planks constant
What is the Schrödinger equation
H𝚿 = E𝚿
What is Schrodinger equation often referred to
schodingers equation is often referred to as an eigenvalue equation
What is the Hamiltonian in the eigenvalue equation
hamiltonian is the operator corresponding to the total energy of the system
What is an eigenvalue
the operation of the Hamiltonian on the wave function. Solutions exist for the time independent Schrodinger equation only for certain values of energy
What is an eigenfunction
corresponding to each eigenvalue is an eigenfunction. The solution to the Schrödinger equation for a given energy involves finding the specific function which describes the energy state
What is an eigenvalue equation
eigenvalue equation means the function you are interested in doesn’t change when you perform the operation
In the majority of cases what is the eigenfunction
in the majority of functions the eigenfunction is the wavefunction
What is an operator
an operator is another word for function transformation or mapping. It’s acts on one function to produce another
Define observable quantity
By observable quantity we mean something that can be measured. In quantum mechanics each observable quantity is represented by an operator
what is the operator for energy
the operator for energy is the Hamiltonian
Describe measurements in quantum mechanics
When the value of a particular observable is measured the result is always one of the eigenvalues of the operator which represents the observable. It does not say which eigenvalue but it will be one of them
