Visual Quantum Mechanics
Prepared for Contemporary Physics by
Dean Zollman, Wally Axmann, Bob Grabhorn,
Carol Regehr, and Paul Donovan
Spring, 1994
From Kansas State University:http://bluegiant.phys.ksu.edu/dvi/vqm/vqm.html
Visual Quantum Mechanics: Table of Contents
- A. Draw a diagram of the potential and total energies.
- B. Look for constraints on the wave function.
- 1. The wave function is zero when the potential energy is infinite.
- 2. The wave function oscillates when the total energy is greater than the
potential energy.
- 3. The wave function decreases when the total energy is less than the potential
energy.
- C. Relate the situation to similar situations with wave functions
- D. The wave function must connect smoothly at a boundary where the potential
energy changes.
- E. In different regions where the wave function oscillates, use the kinetic energies to
determine the relative wavelengths.
- F. In regions where the wave function is decreasing, use the potential and total
energies to determine the approximate rate of decrease.
- G. Draw the wave function.
- H. Interpret the wave function by squaring it to determine the probability of the
object being in different regions of space.
See Also: Newtons Laws
See Also: Glossary
Visual Quantum Mechanics: Table of Contents