Oxford University Press eBooks

Applications of Schrödinger’s equation

P. Anthony Cox

Published Jan 25, 1996• 0 citations

Abstract

This chapter deals with some solutions of Schrödinger's equation in situations that are relatively simple, but which nevertheless have important applications in chemistry. Most of these deal with the quantization of energy. However, there is another remarkable prediction of quantum mechanics, known as tunnelling. In classical physics, kinetic energy cannot be negative; in other words, the total energy cannot be less than the potential energy. Schrödinger's equation can, however, be solved when this is the case. In some situations, these solutions are physically significant. The chapter then looks at the harmonic oscillator, which is one of the most important elementary models in mechanics, and is especially relevant in chemistry in connection with the vibration of molecules. It also considers rotations and angular momentum.

DOI: 10.1093/hesc/9780198559160.003.0003

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