Where is matter? The math that predicts its probability
In short: At the nanoscale, particles don't behave like tiny billiard balls. This video explains how the wave function allows us to map out where matter is likely to be found using quantum mechanics.
The wave function is a mathematical quantity describing the wave characteristics of a particle. Rather than providing a definite location, its absolute value determines the probability of finding matter at a specific point in space and time.
This concept is governed by the Schrödinger equation, developed in 1926 by Erwin Schrödinger. Much like Newton's laws describe large-scale motion, this equation serves as the foundation for submicroscopic phenomena, predicting how probability waves are altered by external forces.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wave Function
- Also: Wave function | Definition & Facts | Britannica
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