Quantum mechanics Definition and 994 Threads

Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that provides a description of the physical properties of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles. It is the foundation of all quantum physics including quantum chemistry, quantum field theory, quantum technology, and quantum information science.
Classical physics, the description of physics that existed before the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, describes many aspects of nature at an ordinary (macroscopic) scale, while quantum mechanics explains the aspects of nature at small (atomic and subatomic) scales, for which classical mechanics is insufficient. Most theories in classical physics can be derived from quantum mechanics as an approximation valid at large (macroscopic) scale.Quantum mechanics differs from classical physics in that energy, momentum, angular momentum, and other quantities of a bound system are restricted to discrete values (quantization), objects have characteristics of both particles and waves (wave-particle duality), and there are limits to how accurately the value of a physical quantity can be predicted prior to its measurement, given a complete set of initial conditions (the uncertainty principle).
Quantum mechanics arose gradually from theories to explain observations which could not be reconciled with classical physics, such as Max Planck's solution in 1900 to the black-body radiation problem, and the correspondence between energy and frequency in Albert Einstein's 1905 paper which explained the photoelectric effect. These early attempts to understand microscopic phenomena, now known as the "old quantum theory", led to the full development of quantum mechanics in the mid-1920s by Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger, Werner Heisenberg, Max Born and others. The modern theory is formulated in various specially developed mathematical formalisms. In one of them, a mathematical entity called the wave function provides information, in the form of probability amplitudes, about what measurements of a particle's energy, momentum, and other physical properties may yield.

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  1. J

    I Origin of Probabilities in Quantum Mechanics?

    The non-normalized wavefunction of a general qubit is given by: $$|\psi\rangle=A|0\rangle+B|1\rangle.$$ The complex amplitudes ##A## and ##B## can be represented by two arrows in the complex plane: Now the wavefunction can be multiplied by any complex number ##R## without changing the...
  2. AuntyMatter

    A Shakespearean Guide to Quantum Mechanics

    When we think of the fathers of quantum mechanics we tend to think of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Louis de Broglie, Max Born, Paul Dirac, Werner Heisenberg, Wolfgang Pauli, and Erwin Schrödinger. However I think I am in solid ground in suggesting that William Shakespeare was way...
  3. D

    I Shankar Quantum Mechanics, Chapter 5, Page 160-161

    For the case of general potential V(x), what does it mean when he says that there are always one more constraint than free parameters? At each interval, ψ and ψ' must be continuous, so that is 2 constraints at each interval, and I understand that there are 2 parameters of the wavefunction in...
  4. J

    I Quantum mechanics supports solipsism?

    There is a lot of information on the Internet that quantum physics supports solipsism and that physicists believe in solipsism. I only trust this forum and the people who are here, so I want to ask you: 1. Is it true that quantum physics says solipsism is true? If this is true, then only one...
  5. sergiokapone

    I What does motion mean in quantum mechanics?

    Consider the Schrödinger equation for a free particle: \begin{equation} -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \partial_i^2\psi = i\hbar\partial_t \psi. \end{equation} Let us be interested in the motion of a free particle in quantum mechanics. We say ok, we have a solution to the Schrödinger equation for a...
  6. N

    Separating a wave function into radial and azimuthal parts

    I know how to work through this problem but I have a question on the initial separation of the wave function. Assuming ##\psi(\rho, \phi) = R(\rho)\Phi(\phi)## then for the azimuthal part of the wavefunction we have ##\Phi(\phi)=B\left(\frac \rho\Delta cos\phi+sin\phi\right)##, but this function...
  7. F

    A First Course in Graduate Quantum Mechanics Resources

    What are some resources that you would suggest for a first course in graduate quantum mechanics? This includes textbooks, online courses such as MIT OCW(includes homework/exams), and online lecture notes?
  8. Someone_physics

    A Thought experiment in relativistic quantum mechanics?

    Background --- Consider the following thought experiment in the setting of relativistic quantum mechanics (not QFT). I have a particle in superposition of the position basis: H | \psi \rangle = E | \psi \rangle Now I suddenly turn on an interaction potential H_{int} localized at r_o =...
  9. Ali Beladi

    I What does this tricky quantum mechanics equation mean?

    I'm a current high school student and I’m aspiring to become a biochemist. I’m at the moment writing an article about adaptive mutations but there is a lot of tricky quantum mechanics in it which I simply don't get. I have asked everyone and got no answer until someone recommended to ask it in a...
  10. A

    Forbidden beta decay form factors

    My idea was to consider first the structure of the matrix element and to see if there are any possible constraints that we could use for parametrization. If I am not mistaken, we are dealing with the hadronic decay governed by QCD which conserves parity. Since we have a derivative operator...
  11. EclogiteFacies

    A Does Everettian QM imply solipsism according to Travis Norsen and Sean Carroll?

    Travis Norsen in his paper Quantum Solipsism and Non-Locality seems to believe that Everettian QM implies some sort of solipsism. He falls it FAPP (for all present purposes) solipsism. (I must say that as a geologist this goes over my head a bit!) However I have recently read Sean Carrolls...
  12. EclogiteFacies

    I Consistent Histories Interpretation - History

    I have just finished reading the book 'Three Roads to Quantum Gravity' by Lee Smolin. My question interestingly is associated with my geology background. Lee Smolin notes Fay Dowker concludes that if Consistent Histories is true then we cannot deduce the existence of dinosaurs 100 million...
  13. E

    Quantum mechanics - several constant potentials

    What I tried to do was using the fact that the wave function should be continuous. Asin(kb)=Be^{-\alpha b} The derivative also should be continuous: kAcos(kb)=-\alpha Be^{-\alpha b} And the probability to find the particle in total should be 1: \int_0^b A^2sin^2(kx) dx + \int_b^{\infty}...
  14. Muthumanimaran

    I Exploring the Physics of LASER: Classical vs Quantum Mechanics

    My question is the physics behind the LASER such as stimulated emission can be only explained by quantum mechanics only. We can represent LASER as coherent state in quantum mechanics only. Then how can we say LASER can be thought of a classical light source?
  15. fluidistic

    Quantum Schwinger's Quantum Mechanics: Symbolism of Atomic Measurements

    I had never heard of Schwinger's Quantum Mechanics: Symbolism of Atomic Measurements until very recently. I wonder what you people think about that QM textbook. Is it a good introduction to QM? A reference? Or, possibly an outdated and bad book? At first glance, it seems a masterpiece to me...
  16. J

    I Zero-point energy of the harmonic oscillator

    First time posting in this part of the website, I apologize in advance if my formatting is off. This isn't quite a homework question so much as me trying to reason through the work in a way that quickly makes sense in my head. I am posting in hopes that someone can tell me if my reasoning is...
  17. T

    Quantum Mechanics determining the normalized constant of a particle

    In my book it has the following example, A particle confined to the surface of a sphere is in the state $$\Psi(\theta, \phi)= \Bigg\{^{N(\frac{\pi^2}{4}-\theta^2), \ 0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}}_{0, \ \frac{\pi}{2} < \theta < \pi}$$ and they determined the normalization constant for ##N##...
  18. I

    Expectation Value Notation in Griffiths QM Textbook Third Edition

    In the 3rd edition of the Introduction to Quantum Mechanics textbook by Griffiths, he normally does the notation of the expectation value as <x> for example. But, in Chapter 3 when he derives the uncertainity principle, he keeps the operator notation in the expectation value. See the pasted...
  19. patric44

    A Would it matter which inner product I choose in quantum mechanics?

    hi guys i was thinking about the inner product we choose in quantum mechanics to map the elements inside the hilbert space to real number which is given by : $$\int^{∞}_{-∞}\psi^{*}\psi\;dV$$ or in some cases we might introduce a weight function dependent on the wave functions i have , it seems...
  20. I

    I Quantum Mechanics Wave Function in 3D

    I was wondering if it's possible to plot a wave function that is a function of 3 coordinates, such as (x, y, z). The text my class uses calls this Quantum Mechanics in 3 dimensions, but wouldn't this technically by four dimensions?
  21. patric44

    Is this a valid derivation of the Uncertainty Principle?

    Homework Statement:: i saw this simple derivation of the uncertainty principle in my college introductory quantum book Relevant Equations:: Δp.Δx = h hi guys i saw this derivation of the uncertainty principle in my college quantum book , but the derivation seems very simple and sloppy , i...
  22. TechieDork

    Courses I think I won't get an A in Quantum Mechanics I

    This is by far the hardest undergraduate class I have ever take. The majority of class got less than 40% on the midterm. Unfortunately, I was sick during the exam hours too ,so it's hard for me to concentrate and think clearly Thank god,the professor uses the norm-referenced grading and My...
  23. E

    Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 2nd edition Chapter 8 equation is confusing

    In Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 2nd edition, in Chapter 8 he calculates the following integral on page 323 and he gets I disagree with this result, I think the integral should be since Maybe somebody can explain why I am wrong? Also, from equation 8.24 to 8.25, he makes the assumption that...
  24. chocopanda

    Harmonic oscillator with ladder operators - proof using the Sum Rule

    I'm trying verify the proof of the sum rule for the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator: $$\sum_l^\infty (E_l-E_n)\ | \langle l \ |p| \ n \rangle |^2 = \frac {mh^2w^2}{2} $$ The exercise explicitly says to use laddle operators and to express $p$ with $$b=\sqrt{\frac {mw}{2 \hbar}}-\frac...
  25. chocopanda

    Quantum Mechanics: creation and annihilation operators

    Hello everyone, I'm new here and I'm struggling with the mathematical formalities in quantum mechanics. $$\langle n+1|b^\dagger bb^\dagger + \frac 12 |n \rangle = \langle n+1|b^\dagger bb^\dagger |n \rangle + \langle n+1| \frac 12 |n \rangle $$ $$ = \langle n+1|b^\dagger b \sqrt{n+1} |n+1...
  26. P

    Finding the generator of rotations for a 3-state triangle

    I first computed the operator ##\hat{T}## in the ##a,b,c## basis (assuming ##a = (1 \ 0 \ 0 )^{T} , b = (0 \ 1 \ 0)^{T}## and ##c = (0 \ 0 \ 1)^{T}##) and found $$ \hat{T} = \begin{pmatrix} 0&0&1 \\ 1&0&0 \\ 0&1&0 \end{pmatrix}.$$ The eigenvalues and eigenvectors corresponding to this matrix...
  27. Vanilla Gorilla

    I Would Black Holes Be Coherent Under Quantum Mechanics?

    I just want to know if Black Holes would be quantumly coherent.
  28. Jamister

    Programs Searching for universities to do my PhD on foundations of quantum mechanics

    I want to do my Phd on foundations of quantum mechanics, but I don't find researchers in the U.S.A that work on that. Is there a good way to search other than to go to each university and go over the PI's? Thanks
  29. CrosisBH

    I What does an uncertainity of 0 mean?

    I'm just starting my undergraduate Quantum Mechanics course. I had a homework problem to show that \Delta S_x = \sqrt{\langle S_x^2 \rangle - \langle S_x \rangle ^2} = 0 , S_x being the spin in the x direction. I managed to solve it, but the physical interpretation is confusing me. If I...
  30. Mayan Fung

    I Energy operator in Quantum Mechanics

    I learned that the energy operator is ##\hat{E} = i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial t} ## and the Hamiltonian is ##\hat{H} = \frac{-\hbar^2}{2m}\nabla^2+V(r,t)## If the Hamiltonian represents the total energy of the system. I expect the two should be the same. Did I misunderstand the concept of...
  31. S

    I Wilson's RG trajectories, Lagrangians and many worlds?

    In this article [1] we can read an explanation about Wilson's approach to renormalization I have read that Kenneth G Wilson favoured the path integral/many histories interpretation of Feynman in quantum mechanics to explain it. I was wondering if he did also consider that multiple worlds...
  32. wolfy

    B Simulators for Quantum Mechanics

    A member helped me discover a new quantum tunneling sim online, it's free and quite amazing to look at. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/quantum-tunneling Are there any other more advance simulators on the net and would anyone like to discuss this program with me as I am new to Quantum...
  33. R

    Quantum What Book Best Explores Quantum Mechanics for Conceptual Thinkers?

    Hi everyone , I am interested in learning quantum mechanics. I want to read a book which explains each and every aspect of quantum physics , gives a conceptual understanding with the help of logical thinking. Also it should be like that if I know the most basic theory and...
  34. redtree

    I Relativistic quantum mechanics

    Given that the Minkowski metric implies the Lorentz transformations and special relativity, why do the equations of relativistic quantum mechanics, i.e., the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations, require a mass term to unite quantum mechanics and special relativity? Shouldn't their formulation in...
  35. R

    I Consciousness and quantum mechanics

    Reading book, “God? Very Probable”. The author quotes Wigners comments in his book, “Remarks on the Mind- Body Question” 169, 171, 173. “The very study of the external world led to the conclusion that the content of consciousness is an ultimate reality. Given the ultimate priority of...
  36. R

    I How do you normalize this wave function?

    I have a basic question in elementary quantum mechanics: Consider the Hamiltonian $$H = -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\partial^2_x - V_0 \delta(x),$$ where ##\delta(x)## is the Dirac function. The eigen wave functions can have an odd or even parity under inversion. Amongst the even-parity wave functions...
  37. tanaygupta2000

    Minimum average value of position

    After getting the values of ψ₀(x) and ψ₁(x), I put them in the expression of ϕ(x) to get: ϕ(x) = (mw/πℏ)^(1/4) * exp[-(mw/2ℏ)x^2] * [α + βx√(2mw/ℏ)] Now when attempting to find the value of <x> by ∫xϕ(x) dx, I am having trouble determining the limits, as I am getting nothing useful by...
  38. tanaygupta2000

    Help With Heisenberg's Energy-Time Uncertainty Principle

    So according to Heisenberg's energy-time uncertainty principle, the product of accuracies in energy and time is equal to ћ/2. In this problem, I know I have to calculate ΔE. But when I'm using Δt = 1.4e10 yrs. = 4.41e17 s, I am getting ΔE = 0.743e-33 eV, which is certainly incorrect! Where am I...
  39. J

    I Double Slit Experiment Question

    I'm wondering if this would be a way to interpret the double slit experiment. In other words, when we observe an electron in the present, it goes through one slit or the other as a particle. However, if we do not observe it, it goes through both at once as a wave; we only see evidence of it...
  40. bob012345

    I Is Quantum Mechanics Infinitely More Complex than Classical Mechanics?

    Please critique this text. It came from a research article* I found but I'm only interested if the sentence is 100% accurate or not and not in the specifics of the article itself. Are they suggesting Hilbert space is always infinite? Thanks. Quantum mechanics is infinitely more complicated than...
  41. S

    I Do all mental states really exist in some universe in Many-Minds?

    According to the Many Minds interpretation of quantum mechanics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Many-minds_interpretation), the distinction between worlds in the Many Worlds interpretation should be made at the level of the mind of an individual observer. I have read that, in this case, each...
  42. N

    I A question about operator power series

    Hi All, I've been going through Shankar's 'Principles of Quantum Mechanics' and I don't quite understand the point the author is trying to make in this exercise. I get that this wavefunction is not a solution to the Schrodinger equation as it is not continuous at the boundaries and neither is...
  43. A. Neumaier

    I Steven Weinberg on the interpretation of quantum mechanics

    I think Weinberg is quite clear about this: On p.87 of the second edition of his quantum mechanics book, he says, and on p.88: After having discussed decoherence, he says on p.92: For the instrumentalist approach (apparently your view of the matter), he states on p.92f this drawback: Then...
  44. PGaccount

    I Partition function of quantum mechanics

    In quantum mechanics, we have the partition function Z[j] = e-W[j] = ∫ eiS+ jiOi. The propagator between two points 1 and 2 can be calculated as ## \frac{\delta}{\delta j_1}\frac{\delta}{\delta j_2} Z = \langle O_1 O_2 \rangle## The S in the path integral has been replaced by S → S + jiOi...
  45. troglodyte

    I Struggling with one step to show quantum operator equality

    Hello guys, I struggle with one step in a calculation to show a quantum operator equality .It would be nice to get some help from you.The problematic step is red marked.I make a photo of my whiteboard activities.The main problem is the step where two infinite sums pops although I work...
  46. AndreasC

    I Exploring Foundations of Quantum Mechanics & QFT

    Hey, applied maths and physics student here. I started wondering recently what the meaning of measurement was in quantum mechanics, and I remembered that I had once heard of the bohmian interpretation which challenged the impression I had so far (which was that hidden variables had been...
  47. K

    Quantum High-level book on scattering in quantum mechanics

    I'm interested in a book which treats scattering in quantum mechanics aimed at the research-level. I'm particularly interested in a text which focuses on mathematical details such as the analytic structure of the S matrix, the relation between the S matrix and various green's/two-point...
  48. Jarvis323

    I Modern Assesment of Grete Hermann's Philosophy on Quantum Mechanics

    As a quarantine hobby I've been learning about Grete Hermann and the early history of QM. I find her early philisophical contribution to be interesting, but I lack the background to put it into a modern context. A brief description can be found in the arxiv paper: Grete Hermann: An early...
  49. G

    A Quantum Mechanic/wave function/junction condition

    May i know how do i eliminate C and D and how do i obtain the last two equations? Are there skipping of steps in between 4th to 5th equation? What are the intermediate steps that i should take to transit from 4th equation to the 5th equation?
  50. Coltrane8

    I Neutrino Helicity and Spin Uncertainty

    In the context of non relativistic quantum mechanics, or better, if I consider the neutrino's mass to be zero, the phrase seems to me puzzling. What I know is that if I know the direction of motion, I know the spin projection onto that direction, say ##\hat{z}##-direction. But to not violate...
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