DavidMcC wrote:felltoearth wrote:campermon wrote:...hmmmmm....
The wave function of a particle tells us about the probability of finding a particle at a particular point in space. So, the y axis is a measure of how likely we can 'observe' the particle at some co-ordinate x.
Until we make that measurement, or the system is forced to be measured (by some non-conscious observer), the only certainty we have is, is that the particle is most probably to be found 'here'.
Hmmm, clearly there's much for me to learn still
I think the hardest part of this in some ways is linking the terminologies. I noticed David mentioned a "resonant wave" which suggests a harmonic frequency to me though I doubt that's what he really means. Same goes for the "relaxed state".
More reading required though it might help to "harmonize" some of the terms of the discussion as it seems people are tending to talk past each other here.
That said, Evolving seems to be doing a great job at explaining some of these concepts comprehensively.
I admit I was using some technical terms from atomic physics, but, as I've already mentioned, the phrase was "resonance line", not "resonant wave". "Relaxed state", in this case, referred to the lowest electronic state of the atom, which is what it ends up in after emission of a "resonance line" (which are usually the strongest emission lines).
And now for a little levity. The word resonance made me thin of this...