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Wave function

A mathematical function that describes the propagation of the quantum mechanical wave associated with a particle (or system of particles), related to the probability of finding the particle in a particular region of space.

📖 Definitions of "Wave function"

noun
  1. 1

    A mathematical function that describes the propagation of the quantum mechanical wave associated with a particle (or system of particles), related to the probability of finding the particle in a particular region of space.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Wave function"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

WordDefinition
wavefunctionnoun(physics) A mathematical function that describes the propagation of the quantum mechanical wave associated with a particle (or system of particles), related to the probability of finding the particle in a particular region of space.
electron wave functionnoun(physics) A function of the position and spin of an electron; related to the probability of finding the electron in a specified position
wave mechanicsnoun(physics, mathematics) The mathematical basis for quantum mechanics in which light and subatomic particles have the characteristics of both waves and particles.
schrödinger wave functionnoun(physics) A function which is a solution of Schrödinger's wave equation; the psi function
transmission functionnoun(mathematical analysis) The mathematical function of an electromagnetic wave is a measure of the change undergone by the amplitude of the wave as it propagates in a given direction, which is also called the propagation constant.
wavefieldnoun(physics) The extended area or space taken up by a wave.
waveiclenounAlternative form of wavicle. [(quantum mechanics) A wave-particle; an entity which simultaneously has the properties of a wave and a particle.]
matterwavenoun(physics) A travelling particle considered in terms of its wavelike properties
wave vectornoun(physics, mathematics) A vector whose direction is that of the direction of propagation of a wave, and whose magnitude is inversely proportional to its wavelength
wavepacketnoun(physics) Alternative spelling of wave packet. [(physics) a collection of waves, travelling together]
wave-particlenoun(quantum mechanics) An entity which simultaneously has the properties of a wave and a particle.
waviclenoun(quantum mechanics) A wave-particle; an entity which simultaneously has the properties of a wave and a particle.
schrödinger's wave equationnoun(physics) A three-dimensional partial differential equation which determines the evolution of a quantum mechanical wave function
spinwavenounAlternative form of spin wave. [(physics) a wave, propagated through a crystal lattice as a result of changes in the spin angular momentum of electrons in the lattice]
wave packetnoun(physics) a collection of waves, travelling together
wavefunction collapsenoun(quantum mechanics) The phenomenon in which a wavefunction — initially in a superposition of several different possible eigenstates — appears to reduce to a single one of those states after interaction with an observer: the reduction of the physical possibilities into a single possibility as seen by an observer.
psi functionnoun(physics) The Schrödinger wave function
quantum fieldnoun(quantum mechanics) A quantum operator-valued function of (any point in) space.
waveformnoun(physics, engineering) The shape of a physical wave, such as sound, electric current or electromagnetic radiation, or its representation obtained by plotting a characteristic of the phenomenon (such as voltage) versus another variable, often time.
spatial wave functionnoun(physics) A separable wavefunction times e^(iEt/ hbar), which is thus a function of only space and not time.

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