In our derivation of Planck's Law (showing that this Formula is an exact mathematical identity that describes the interaction of measurement) the 'accumulation of energy' locally at time t was a key variable. By starting with this as the primary variable and defining energy, momentum and force in terms of it we are able to mathematically derive such basic laws of Physics as Conservation of Energy and Momentum, and Newton's Second Law of Motion. Following the same approach we demonstrate in this short note how Schrodinger's Equation relates to this formulation. This leads to a physical meaning of the wave-function ψ and a plausible explanation of the double-slit experiment.
In our derivation of Planck's Law (showing that this Formula is an exact mathematical identity that describes the interaction of measurement) the 'accumulation of energy' locally at time t was a key variable. By starting with this as the primary variable and defining energy, momentum and force in terms of it we are able to mathematically derive such basic laws of Physics as Conservation of Energy and Momentum, and Newton's Second Law of Motion. Following the same approach we demonstrate in this short note how Schrodinger's Equation relates to this formulation. This leads to a physical meaning of the wave-function ψ and a plausible explanation of the double-slit experiment.
Microscopic particles, like electrons, do not move following the classical laws of motion, given by Newtonian Mechanics. These particles, however, follow other laws that are associated to the propagation of waves. This becomes qualitatively clear when we observe an interference pattern arise in an experiment in which an electron beam passes through a double slit. In this brief study, we will deal with the quantum analysis of the dynamics of particles, by means of its postulates and its precise mathematical formulation. That is, we intend to introduce the wave function and the Schrodinger equation, as well as to interpret physically such a function. The scientific bases of this essay (1),(2),(3),(4),(5) can be found in the books listed in the bibliographic references.
The Schrodinger equation has been considered to be a postulate of quantum physics, but it is also perceived and derived heuristically as the quantum equivalent of the classical energy relation. We indicate that the Schrodinger equation cannot be a physical postulate, and we show that the heuristic derivations wrongly consider that the particle kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the momentum operator acting on the wavefunction. The correct term is proportional to the square of the momentum. Analyzing particle interactions, we realize that particles have multiple virtual motions and that each motion is accompanied by a wave that has constant amplitude. Accordingly, we define the wavefunction as the superposition of the virtual waves of the particle. As a result, quantum mechanics becomes a local and global theory, while in the traditional formulation it is a local theory. In several interaction settings we can tell what particle motions arise and explain the outcomes in simple and tangible terms. Most importantly, the mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics becomes clear and justified, and we derive the Schrodinger, Dirac, etc. equations as the conditions the wavefunction must satisfy at each space-time point in order to fulfill the respective total energy equation.
Some aspects of the interpretation of quantum theory are discussed.It is emphasized that quantum theory is formulated in a Cartesian coordinate system; in other coordinates the result obtained with the help of the Hamiltonian formalism and commutator relations between 'canonically conjugated' coordinate and momentum operators leads to a wrong version of quantum mechanics.In this connection the Feynman integral formalism is also discussed.In this formalism the measure is not well-defined and there is no idea how to distinguish between the true version of quantum mechanics and an incorrect one; it is rather a mnemonic rule to generate perturbation series from an undefined zero order term.The origin of time is analyzed in detail by the example of atomic collisions.It is shown that the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for the closed three-body (two nuclei + electron) system has no physical meaning since in the high impact energy limit it transforms into an equation with two independent time-like variables; the time appears in the stationary Schrödinger equation as a result of extraction of a classical subsystem (two nuclei) from a closed three-body system.Following the Einstein-Rosen-Podolsky experiment and Bell's inequality the wave function is interpreted as an actual field of information in the elementary form.The relation between physics and mathematics is also discussed.
Schrodinger’s equation is a basic mathematical expression for a single particle in quantum mechanics. However, its physical meaning has never been assigned in any standard quantum mechanics text book. Here, a detailed complete re-derivation of hidden variable equation in David Bohm’s 1952 papers is given to assign some physical meanings to Schrodinger’s equation. This work shows some required detailed transformation of Schrodinger’s Equation into a form of Newtonian second law of motion with definite trajectory with some initial conditions given. All the quantum effects come from the single localized term called the quantum potential.
Inadequate descriptions of atoms and molecules by the methods of classical physics led researchers to propose new ways to describe physical reality, giving birth to a totally new science, quantum mechanics. The methods of quantum mechanics are based on the introduction of a wave function, whose physical meaning is related to the probability of finding a certain particle, at a certain time in a volume element, positioned between x and x + dx in the x = direction, between y and y + dy in the y = direction, and between z and z + dz in the z = direction at certain time t. This wave function Ψ satisfies the Schrödinger equation, (−2mℏ2∇2+v)Ψ=EΨ,ℏ=2πh, or for short, HΨ = EΨ, where H, the Hamiltonian operator, is defined by the expression H=−2mℏ2∇2+V; h is Planck’s constant; ∇2 is the sum of the partial second derivatives with respect to x, y, and z; m is the mass of the particle; and V is the potential energy of the system. The Hamiltonian H represents the quantum equivalent of the sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy, with V being the potential energy operator and 2m−ℏ2∇2 the kinetic energy operator. Finally, E is the total energy of the system and is a number, not an operator.
The Schrödinger equation: the quantum description of one massive, slow-moving particle To establish a probability wave equation for one photon, it was useful to note that probability density and electromagnetic energy density were proportional. The governing equation for EM radiation fields is the Maxwell wave equation, which is also the governing equation for photon probability wave functions. Converting from EM radiation to photon information is made plausible by identifying energy and momentum operators with time- and space-derivatives, respectively. Thus, the Maxwell wave equation can be interpreted as being equivalent to the energy-momentum relation for photons. Though we don’t have a “Maxwell wave equation” to start with for massive particles, we do have an energy-momentum relation, so borrowing the energy and momentum operators from photons leads to an analogous wave equation for massive particles.