NS104 (AKK)

Schroedingers Theory of
Quantum Mechanics
-- Introduction
(need for differential wave equation)
-- Leading to Schroedinger Equation (SE)

NS104 (AKK)

Differential Equations
A differential equation is an equation to be satisfied
by a particular function, e.g. f(x), that involves
derivatives of that function, e.g. df/dx
A linear differential equation is one in which there are
no powers higher than the first of the unknown function
(or its derivatives).
In an ordinary differential equation the
unknown function depends on only one
variable, e.g. f(x), and the derivatives are
taken with respect to that variable.
In a partial differential equation the
unknown function depends on more than
one variable, e.g. f(x,t), and the equation
contains partial derivatives with respect
to the different variables, e.g. classical
wave equation
2
2

f
1 f
=
x 2 c 2 t 2

d2 f
df
+
3
+ x 2 f + xf 2 = 5
2
dx
dx

d2 f
df
+
3
+ x2 f = 5
2
dx
dx

Which of the following differential

equations for the unknown function
f(x) is linear?

df
+ x2 f = 3
dx
2

df
3
2
+
xf
=
2
x

dx

NS104 (AKK)

Differential Equations
Any linear differential equation
can be written in the form

Examples:

=g
Lf
where:

is the same as

d2 f
df
+
+ x2 f = 5
3
2
dx
dx
d2
d
2
+
3
+
x
f =5
dx 2

dx

f is the unknown function

g is a known function
L is a differential operator (an object that

does something to the function operates on

it and that operation involves
differentiation). Hats above symbols are
frequently used to denote operators.
A linear, homogeneous differential equation is
one in which all the terms are linear in the
unknown function, i.e. g = 0.

is the same as

2 f
1 2 f
= 2 2
2
x
c t
2
1 2
x 2 c 2 t 2 f = 0

The most important type in QM

NS104 (AKK)

Classical Mechanics
A particle in 3D has the following attributes

1. Mass

mass

Posit ion

r
r

velocit y

m
r
2. Position r

r
3. Velocity v

r
r
v = d r /dt
X

Rate of change of position with time

NS104 (AKK)

Total Energy Equation

Consider a particle of mass m that is moving
in one dimension. Let its position be given by x

X
O

In classical mechanics the state of a particle moving in

1 - D with the potential energy V(x, t) is determined completely
from the initial conditions at t = t o :
dV
d 2x
x(t o ) ; v(t o ) and = m 2 (Newtons Law)
dx
dt

r
The total energy of a particle
with position r ,
r
mass m and velocity v also has energy

r
ET = Ekin + Epot ( r )
Kinetic
to motion

energy due

Potential
energy
due to forces

NS104 (AKK)

Linear Momentum & KE

The kinetic energy can be written as :

1 2
Ek = mv
2
Or alternatively in terms of the
linear momentum:

r
v
p = mv
as:

v
p

v
v
small mass large velocity

p
Ek =
2m

or

v
v
large mass small velocity

NS104 (AKK)

Linear Momentum of Waves

A mathematical expression for a free particle with a
Linear momentum p of
Constant magnitude

For bound particle with

Linear momentum p of
changing magnitude

NS104 (AKK)

Classical Hamiltonian
The expression for the total energy in terms of
the potential energy and the kinetic energy
given in terms of the linear momentum

E = Ekin + E pot

p2
r
=
+ V( r )
2m

is called the Hamiltonian

p2
r
H=
+ V( r )
2m

The Hamiltonian will take on a special

importance in the transformation from
classical physics to quantum mechanics

NS104 (AKK)

Classical Hamiltonian in Quantum Mechanics

mass

We consider a particle
of mass m, position r
and linear momentum
p. The particle is
moving in the potential
V(x,y,z)

Position
m

r
r
r
r
p = mv

Linear Momentum

The classical Hamiltonian is given by

1
H=
px2 + p 2y + p 2z + V(x, y, z)
2m

1 r r
1 2
v
v
H=
p p + V( r ) =
p + V( r )
2m
2m

NS104 (AKK)

Quantum Mechanical Hamiltonian

is constructed by the
The quantum mechanical Hamiltonian H
following transformations:

H Class

H=
p x2 + p 2y + p z2 + V( x , y , z )
2m

Classical Mechanics Quantum Mechanics

x

px

py

pz

h
i x
h
y > y ; p y >
i y

x > x ; p x >

z > z ; p z >

h
i z

h
Here h ' h - bar'=
is a modification of Plancks constant h
2
h = 1.05457 10 34 Js

NS104 (AKK)

Quantum Mechanical Hamiltonian

X
O

The state of the same system in QM is determined by the

Schroedinger Equation as follows

h (x,t)

= H(x,t)
i
t

h (x,t)
h2 2(x,t)

=
+ V(x,t)
(x,t)
2
i t
2m x
The wave function (x, t) contains all information about the system

NS104 (AKK)

Mathematical Equation in Quantum Mechanics

Source: google