bølgefuksjon

Bølgefuksjon is a term used in quantum mechanics to describe the state of a quantum mechanical system. It is a mathematical function that contains all the information about the system. The bølgefuksjon, often denoted by the Greek letter psi (Ψ), is a complex-valued function and its square, |Ψ|², represents the probability density of finding the particle at a particular position and time.

The concept of the bølgefuksjon was introduced by Erwin Schrödinger in 1926, forming the basis of his wave mechanics. The evolution of the bølgefuksjon over time is governed by the Schrödinger equation, a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation is a differential equation that describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time.

The bølgefuksjon itself is not directly observable. Instead, its physical significance lies in the probabilities it predicts for the outcomes of measurements. For example, the integral of |Ψ|² over a certain region of space gives the probability of finding the particle within that region. The bølgefuksjon can also describe phenomena like superposition, where a quantum system can exist in multiple states simultaneously until a measurement is made, causing the bølgefuksjon to "collapse" into a single definite state. Understanding the bølgefuksjon is crucial for comprehending the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels.