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Today I was introduced to the Orbital Wave Function for electrons. $\Psi$ is a mathematical function for coordinate of electrons and has no physical meaning. But $\Psi^2$ gives probability of an electron. How does a function for coordinate give probability distribution when squared ? How is the $\Psi$ working ?

Please explain me in easier to understand terms with out monster equations.

Zenix
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Navoneel Karmakar
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  • What's the monstrous equation (Schrödinger's equations)? And state of the particle is completely described by $\Psi$, it got it's meaning.. doesn't $\Psi^2$ gives probability density? – Zenix Feb 29 '20 at 19:00
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    Discussed here in the question and answers: https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/194999 – Ed V Feb 29 '20 at 19:01
  • @Zenix yes! I don't really understand it. I suppose it relates the various energies of the particle with its coordinates. Am I right? – Navoneel Karmakar Feb 29 '20 at 19:15
  • https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/92244/what-is-the-difference-between-%cf%88-%cf%88%c2%b2-radial-probability-and-radial-distribut – Mithoron Feb 29 '20 at 19:46
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    "Today I was introduced to the Orbital Wave Function" - well that suggests that you already know more then you really need on your level of education, and teacher didn't tell you how it work for good reasons. – Mithoron Feb 29 '20 at 19:49
  • @Mithoron Yes that might be true but I have some basic knowledge about it and it's graphs and how to find nodes and all ! But why am I getting down votes? Is there anything wrong? – Navoneel Karmakar Feb 29 '20 at 19:53
  • Not much, but it's modulus of function squared and, well, comments about monster functions are better... in comments not in body of question. Also I feel this may be too broad. – Mithoron Feb 29 '20 at 20:06
  • Please don't go in depth Navoneel, you don't really need to know more about than this, if you are preparing for competitive examinations. You can't grasp these things in 10+1 grade... little knowledge is always harmful. Remain focused on goal and have faith in your faculties. Rest depends on you, I will upvote so that you don't get demotivated. – Zenix Feb 29 '20 at 20:10
  • This is the Born interpretation and it is a postulate about how quantum mechanics works. As far as we can tell, it's right. There is no easier way in quantum mechanics. You either look at the equations and get some insight, or you don't. – Zhe Feb 29 '20 at 20:27
  • Well,this depends.. Do you know the basic postulates of quantum mechanics,especially the 3rd one regarding eigenvalues and eigenvectors?(You should obviously know the Hermitian operators postulate and the normalization one) – Yusuf Hasan Feb 29 '20 at 20:36
  • Ok thanks to everyone in the comments! I realise I'll learn this when am eligible (i.e. in higher grade) – Navoneel Karmakar Feb 29 '20 at 21:07

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