List of equations in quantum mechanics

This article summarizes equations in the theory of quantum mechanics.

Wavefunctions

A fundamental physical constant occurring in quantum mechanics is the Planck constant, h. A

common abbreviation is ħ = h/2π, also known as the reduced Planck constant or Dirac constant.

Quantity (common (Common)

Defining equation SI unit Dimension
name/s) symbol/s

varies with
To solve from the situation and
Wavefunction ψ, Ψ
Schrödinger equation number of
particles

Wavefunction
ρ m−3 [L]−3
probability density

Non-relativistic, no
external field:

Wavefunction
j m−2⋅s−1 [T]−1 [L]−2
probability current

star * is complex
conjugate

The general form of wavefunction for a system of particles, each with position ri and z-component
of spin sz i. Sums are over the discrete variable sz, integrals over continuous positions r.

For clarity and brevity, the coordinates are collected into tuples, the indices label the particles (which
cannot be done physically, but is mathematically necessary). Following are general mathematical
results, used in calculations.
 Property or
Nomenclature Equation
effect

In function
notation:

in bra–ket
notation:

Wavefunction
r = (r1, r2... rN)
for N particles in
sz = (sz 1, sz 2, ..., sz N)
3d
for non-
interacting
particles:

Position-
momentum
Φ = momentum–space wavefunction
Fourier
Ψ = position–space wavefunction
transform (1
particle in 3d)

Vj = volume (3d region) particle may

occupy,
General
P = Probability that particle 1 has position
probability
r1 in volume V1 with spin sz1 and particle 2
distribution
has position r2 in volume V2 with spin sz2,
etc.

General
normalization
condition
Equations

Wave–particle duality and time evolution

Property or effect Nomenclature Equation

P = (E/c, p) is the four-momentum,

K = (ω/c, k) is the four-wavevector,
Planck–Einstein E = energy of particle
equation and de Broglie ω = 2πf is the angular frequency and
wavelength relations frequency of the particle
ħ = h/2π are the Planck constants
c = speed of light

General time-
dependent
case:

Ψ = wavefunction of the system

Ĥ = Hamiltonian operator,
Schrödinger equation E = energy eigenvalue of system
i is the imaginary unit Time-
t = time
independent
case:

 = operator of an observable property

Heisenberg equation [ ] is the commutator
denotes the average

For
m = mass, momentum
V = potential energy,
Time evolution in and
r = position,
Heisenberg picture position;
p = momentum,
(Ehrenfest theorem)
of a particle.
Non-relativistic time-independent Schrödinger equation

Summarized below are the various forms the Hamiltonian takes, with the corresponding
Schrödinger equations and forms of wavefunction solutions. Notice in the case of one spatial
dimension, for one particle, the partial derivative reduces to an ordinary derivative.
 One particle N particles

where the position of particle n is xn.

One
dimension

There is a further restriction — the solution

must not grow at infinity, so that it has for non-interacting particles
either a finite L2-norm (if it is a bound state)
or a slowly diverging norm (if it is part of a

continuum):[1]

where the position of particle n is r n = (xn,

yn, zn), and the Laplacian for particle n
where the position of the particle is r = (x, y, using the corresponding position
z). coordinates is

Three
dimensions

for non-interacting particles

Non-relativistic time-dependent Schrödinger equation

Again, summarized below are the various forms the Hamiltonian takes, with the corresponding
Schrödinger equations and forms of solutions.

One particle N particles

One
dimension where the position of particle n is xn.

Three
dimensions

This last equation is in a very high

dimension,[2] so the solutions are not easy to
visualize.
Photoemission

Property/Effect Nomenclature Equation

Kmax = Maximum kinetic energy of ejected

electron (J)
h = Planck constant
Photoelectric equation
f = frequency of incident photons (Hz = s−1)
φ, Φ = Work function of the material the
photons are incident on (J)

Can only be found by experiment.

φ, Φ = Work function of the material the The De Broglie relations give the
Threshold frequency and
photons are incident on (J) relation between them:
Work function −1
f0, ν0 = Threshold frequency (Hz = s )

p = momentum of photon (kg m s−1) The De Broglie relations give:

Photon momentum f = frequency of photon (Hz = s−1)
λ = wavelength of photon (m)
Quantum uncertainty

Property or
Nomenclature Equation
effect

Position–
momentum

Energy-
Heisenberg's n = number of photons
time
uncertainty φ = wave phase
principles [, ] = commutator

Number-
phase

Dispersion of
A = observables (eigenvalues of operator)
observable

General
A, B = observables (eigenvalues of
uncertainty
operator)
relation
Probability Distributions

Property or
Equation
effect

Density of states

where
P(Ei) =
probability
of energy
Ei
Fermi–Dirac
g(Ei) =
distribution
degeneracy
(fermions)
of energy
Ei (no of
states with
same
energy)
μ=
chemical
potential

Bose–Einstein
distribution
(bosons)
Angular momentum

Property or
Nomenclature Equation
effect

Spin:

s = spin quantum number

ms = spin magnetic quantum number
ℓ = Azimuthal quantum number
Angular
mℓ = azimuthal magnetic quantum Orbital:
momentum
number
quantum
j = total angular momentum quantum
numbers
number
mj = total angular momentum magnetic
Total:
quantum number

Spin
magnitude:

Orbital
angular momementa: magnitude:
Angular
S = Spin,
momentum
L = orbital,
magnitudes
J = total
Total
magnitude:

Spin:

Angular
momentum
components Orbital:

Magnetic moments
In what follows, B is an applied external magnetic field and the quantum numbers above are used.

Property or
Nomenclature Equation
effect

e = electron charge
me = electron rest mass
orbital magnetic z-
L = electron orbital angular momentum
dipole moment
gℓ = orbital Landé g-factor component:
μB = Bohr magneton

spin magnetic S = electron spin angular momentum z-

dipole moment gs = spin Landé g-factor
component:

dipole moment
U = potential energy of dipole in field
potential

Hydrogen atom

Property or
Nomenclature Equation
effect

En = energy eigenvalue
n = principal quantum number
e = electron charge
Energy level
me = electron rest mass
ε0 = permittivity of free space
h = Planck constant

λ = wavelength of emitted photon, during

Spectrum
electronic transition from Ei to Ej

See also

Defining equation (physical chemistry)

List of electromagnetism equations

List of equations in classical mechanics

List of equations in fluid mechanics

 List of equations in gravitation

List of equations in nuclear and particle physics

List of equations in wave theory

List of photonics equations

List of relativistic equations

Footnotes

1. Feynman, R.P.; Leighton, R.B.; Sand, M. (1964). "Operators". The Feynman Lectures on Physics.
Vol. 3. Addison-Wesley. pp. 20–7. ISBN 0-201-02115-3.

2. Shankar, R. (1994). Principles of Quantum Mechanics (https://archive.org/details/principlesqu

antu00shan_139) . Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. p. 141 (https://archive.org/details/p
rinciplesquantu00shan_139/page/n160) . ISBN 978-0-306-44790-7.

Sources

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ISBN 0-7195-3382-1.

G. Woan (2010). The Cambridge Handbook of Physics Formulas (https://archive.org/details/cam

bridgehandboo0000woan) . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-57507-2.

A. Halpern (1988). 3000 Solved Problems in Physics, Schaum Series. Mc Graw Hill. ISBN 978-0-
07-025734-4.

R. G. Lerner; G. L. Trigg (2005). Encyclopaedia of Physics (2nd ed.). VHC Publishers, Hans
Warlimont, Springer. pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0-07-025734-4.

C. B. Parker (1994). McGraw Hill Encyclopaedia of Physics (https://archive.org/details/mcgrawhill

encycl1993park) (2nd ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-051400-3.

P. A. Tipler; G. Mosca (2008). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: With Modern Physics (6th ed.).
W. H. Freeman and Co. ISBN 978-1-4292-0265-7.

L.N. Hand; J. D. Finch (2008). Analytical Mechanics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-
57572-0.

T. B. Arkill; C. J. Millar (1974). Mechanics, Vibrations and Waves. John Murray. ISBN 0-7195-2882-
8.
 H.J. Pain (1983). The Physics of Vibrations and Waves (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-
90182-2.

J. R. Forshaw; A. G. Smith (2009). Dynamics and Relativity. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-01460-8.

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I. S. Grant; W. R. Phillips; Manchester Physics (2008). Electromagnetism (2nd ed.). John Wiley &
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D.J. Griffiths (2007). Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd ed.). Pearson Education, Dorling
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Further reading

L. H. Greenberg (1978). Physics with Modern Applications (https://archive.org/details/physicswit

hmoder0000gree) . Holt-Saunders International W. B. Saunders and Co. ISBN 0-7216-4247-0.

J. B. Marion; W. F. Hornyak (1984). Principles of Physics. Holt-Saunders International Saunders

College. ISBN 4-8337-0195-2.

A. Beiser (1987). Concepts of Modern Physics (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill (International). ISBN 0-07-
100144-1.

H. D. Young; R. A. Freedman (2008). University Physics – With Modern Physics (12th ed.).
Addison-Wesley (Pearson International). ISBN 978-0-321-50130-1.