wave mechanicsn.
/ˈweɪv mᵻˌkanɪks/, U.S. /ˈweɪv məˌkænɪks/ Physics.
A form of non-relativistic quantum mechanics introduced by E. Schrödinger in which particles are regarded as having some of the properties of waves, the waves being described by the wave functions produced as solutions of the Schrödinger wave equation.
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wave mechanics1926
1926 Physical Rev. 28 726 Schroedinger's presentation is based on his wave-mechanics, while this is based on the matrix-mechanics.
1942 J. D. Stranathan ‘Particles’ of Mod. Physics vi. 228 On wave mechanics the electron is not regarded as a localized particle.
1953 Sci. News 30 13 When wave mechanics is applied to any problem, the first step is to write down an expression for the energy of the system.
1974 Encycl. Brit. Macropædia XI. 796/1 The revolutionary development of quantum mechanics (of which wave mechanics and matrix mechanics are specialized partial formulations) occurred with breath-taking rapidity in the years 1925–30.
Derivatives
wave-meˈchanical adj.
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the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > wave mechanics > [adjective]
wave-mechanical1928
1928 E. Schrödinger Four Lect. Wave Mech. 6 In replacing the ordinary mechanical description by a wave-mechanical description our object is to obtain a theory.
1951 C. N. Hinshelwood Struct. Physical Chem. vi. 129 The number of solutions of the ψ equation, which correspond to a given value of the permitted energy value E, is the expression for the statistical weight in the wave-mechanical formulation.
wave-meˈchanically adv.
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the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > wave mechanics > [adverb]
wave-mechanically1971
1971 Physics Bull. Jan. 16/2 A molecule is harder to deal with wave-mechanically than either an atom or an atomic crystal.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1926