ENERGY EIGENVALUE Meaning and
Definition
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Energy Eigenvalue:
An energy eigenvalue is a term used in quantum mechanics to describe the specific values of energy that a physical system can possess. In quantum mechanics, physical systems are associated with wavefunctions that describe the probability distribution of observing a particular state or measurement outcome. The concept of energy eigenvalues arises when studying the time-independent Schrödinger equation, which governs the behavior of quantum systems.
Energy eigenvalues correspond to the energy levels that a system can occupy. They are obtained as solutions to the Schrödinger equation, which is an eigenvalue equation. The eigenvalues represent the possible measurable energies that a system can possess when in a particular quantum state. The energy eigenvalues are quantized, meaning they are "quantized" into distinct, discrete values rather than being continuous. This quantization is a fundamental characteristic of quantum mechanics.
Energy eigenvalues play a crucial role in determining the behavior and properties of quantum systems. They determine the discrete set of energy levels that particles can occupy, such as those observed in atomic orbitals or energy bands in solid-state physics. The energy eigenvalues also provide the basis for understanding energy transitions, since the energy difference between different eigenvalues corresponds to the amount of energy absorbed or emitted during a transition.
Overall, an energy eigenvalue represents the quantized energy levels that a quantum system can possess, providing a fundamental understanding of the energy states and properties of the system.
Common Misspellings for ENERGY EIGENVALUE
- wnergy eigenvalue
- snergy eigenvalue
- dnergy eigenvalue
- rnergy eigenvalue
- 4nergy eigenvalue
- 3nergy eigenvalue
- ebergy eigenvalue
- emergy eigenvalue
- ejergy eigenvalue
- ehergy eigenvalue
- enwrgy eigenvalue
- ensrgy eigenvalue
- endrgy eigenvalue
- enrrgy eigenvalue
- en4rgy eigenvalue
- en3rgy eigenvalue
- eneegy eigenvalue
- enedgy eigenvalue
- enefgy eigenvalue
- enetgy eigenvalue
Etymology of ENERGY EIGENVALUE
The word "energy" originated from the Latin word "energia" which means "force" or "activity". It was later adopted into Old French as "energie" and then borrowed by English.
The term "eigenvalue" comes from the German word "eigen" meaning "own" or "unique", and "value" referring to a numerical quantity. It was introduced in mathematics by German mathematician David Hilbert in 1904.
When combined, "energy eigenvalue" refers to the unique values that represent the energy levels in a quantum mechanical system. This concept is fundamental in quantum mechanics, where energy is quantized and can only take certain discrete values.
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