What is meant by wavefunction?

wave function, in quantum mechanics, variable quantity that mathematically describes the wave characteristics of a particle. The value of the wave function of a particle at a given point of space and time is related to the likelihood of the particle’s being there at the time.

What is a wave oscillation?

A wave is said to oscillate, which means to move back and forth in a regular, repeating way. This fluctuation can be between extremes of position, force, or quantity. Different types of waves have different types of oscillations. Longitudinal waves: Oscillation is parallel to the direction of the wave.

Is oscillation and wave the same?

Oscillation is a periodic movement of a particle or a system that can cause a wave. A wave is created by an oscillation either mechanically or electromagnetically.

What is the amplitude of a wave?

amplitude, in physics, the maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave measured from its equilibrium position. For a longitudinal wave, such as a sound wave, amplitude is measured by the maximum displacement of a particle from its position of equilibrium.

Why wave function is continuous?

The reason most wave functions are continuous boils down to the idea that the Schrodinger equation (and, more fundamentally, the Dirac equation) should be able to describe the behaviour of a particle across all potentials, in any region.

What is an oscillation in physics?

Oscillation is defined as the process of repeating variations of any quantity or measure about its equilibrium value in time. Oscillation can also be defined as a periodic variation of a matter between two values or about its central value.

Why do we study waves and oscillations?

By studying oscillatory motion and waves, we shall find that a small number of underlying principles describe all of them and that wave phenomena are more common than you have ever imagined. We begin by studying the type of force that underlies the simplest oscillations and waves.

What is amplitude of oscillation?

The amplitude of oscillation is the distance from the mean or equilibrium position to either extreme. Oscillation is one complete to and fro motion of the particle from the mean position.

What is a simple definition of amplitude?

Definition of amplitude 1 : the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: such as. a : the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme. b : the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value.

What is eigenfunction expansion?

This equation is the eigenfunction expansion form of the solution to the wave partial differential equation. Thus, for the wave partial differential equation, there are an infinite number of basis vectors in the solution space, and we say the dimension of the solution space is infinite.

What is Eigen state?

Definition of eigenstate : a state of a quantized dynamic system (such as an atom, molecule, or crystal) in which one of the variables defining the state (such as energy or angular momentum) has a determinate fixed value.