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The wave equation of Schroendinger has been shown to be an accurate means to describe an electron within an electric field*. It's key feature -- the 'psi' of the equation -- was shown by Heisenberg and Born to be related to the probability of finding an electron at a specific point at a specific time. If one solved the wave equation for a given E-field, and then used that result to calculate the probability of an electron being at a point, one could accurately predict that probability.
A "wave packet" is simply a mathematical description of a group of electrons travelling in an E-field. As always, the packet represent the odds of finding an electron at a specific place at a specific time. By solving the Schroendinger Equation for this packet (for those few cases where doing so is possible) and then using the latter insight of Heisenberg and Born, you can accurately describe probabilities.
Note my consistent use of the words "probability" or "odds." In QM you can NOT determine where an electron WILL go, only the odds of it going somewhere over time. This is NOT due to our lack of cleverness or precise measuring machines, it's an inherent fact of our Universe.
* Actually, it COULD be used for any particle under any Hamiltonian, but its only usefulness is with electrons in an E-field.
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Sample of trivia for physics?
The only rock that floats in water is pumiceAll moving objects are merely wave packets of extremely high frequency.
Does light behave as a wave or a particle in chemistry?
Light behaves as both a wave and a particle in chemistry. As a wave, light exhibits properties such as interference and diffraction, while as a particle, light consists of discrete packets of energy called photons. This dual nature of light is described by the wave-particle duality principle.
The wave-mechanical model of the atom is required to explain the?
The wave-mechanical model of the atom is required to explain the behavior of electrons in atoms, particularly their wave-like properties and the quantization of energy levels. This model integrates wave theory with the concept of particles, providing a more accurate description of the behavior of electrons within the atom. It helps explain phenomena such as electron orbitals, electron probability distributions, and the stability of atoms.
Who made the wave model?
The wave model was developed by Niels Bohr in 1913 to explain the behavior of electrons in atoms. It was a major advancement in understanding the structure of atoms and laid the foundation for quantum mechanics.
What type of wave is an electromagnetic wave?
A vaccum Those transverse waves which require electric field and magnetic field vibrating in a direction perpendicular to each other and also to the direction of propagation of the wave. sound longitudal waves
What is it called when waves travel in groups?
When waves travel in groups, it is called wave packets. Wave packets are localized disturbances that consist of a group of individual waves with varying frequencies and wavelengths.
Explain the difference between a wave and a wavelength?
A wave is a normal wave and a wave length is the wave Height or distance
Can The photoelectric effect can only be explained by thinking of light as a stream of tiny packets of energy or as a?
wave.
What is the energy of an electromagnetic wave?
The energy of an electromagnetic wave is carried by its electric and magnetic fields, and is proportional to its frequency. This energy is quantized into discrete packets called photons.
Why does classical physics fail to explain the photoelectric effect?
Classical physics fails to explain the photoelectric effect because it is based on the wave theory of light, which predicts that the energy of a wave is proportional to its intensity. However, the photoelectric effect shows that the energy of ejected electrons is dependent on the frequency of light, not its intensity, as predicted by quantum theory.
What has the author M A Weissman written?
M. A. Weissman has written: 'Nonlinear wave packets in Kelvin-Helmholtz flow'
What has the author Christoph Thiele written?
Christoph Thiele has written: 'Wave packet analysis' -- subject(s): Linear operators, Walsh functions, Wave packets, Wavelets (Mathematics)
What describes the natue of light?
In physics, light can be thought of as packets of particles called photons. Light also has a wave nature.
Explain what the amplitude of a water wave is?
The amplitude of a water wave is the maximum displacement of a water surface from its undisturbed position. It represents the height of the wave crest or the depth of the wave trough from the equilibrium level of the water.
Are data packets only for emails?
If you mean TCP or UDP data packets, then no, they make up every data transmission on the net.
Where can wave power be found explain in detail?
in the sea
Which idea did Einstein first purpose to explain the photoelectric effect and the result of double-slit experiments?
Einstein first proposed the idea of photons as discrete packets of light energy to explain the photoelectric effect. According to his hypothesis, light is composed of individual particles called photons that transfer their energy to electrons upon striking a material surface. Additionally, Einstein's explanation of the double-slit experiments involved the concept of wave-particle duality, stating that light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties.
