Schrödinger Wave Equation and Function: Basics and Concise Relations With Consciousness/Mind
Schrödinger Wave Equation and Function: Basics and Concise Relations With Consciousness/Mind
Schrödinger Wave Equation and Function: Basics and Concise Relations With Consciousness/Mind
ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
101
BasicsofQuantumPhysicsy
SchrdingerWaveEquationandFunction:
BasicsandConciseRelationswith
Consciousness/Mind
MustafaErol
Abstract
Scientists used to believe until recently that the consciousness/mind/thought is a
purelymetaphysicalconceptandhencehasnothingtodowithscience.However,
recentscientificresearchboththeoreticallyand experimentallystronglyimplythat
consciousness/mind/thoughtisinfactaphysicalconceptandcouldbeinvestigated
by scientific means. This very exciting and revolutionary approach recently
attracted much interest to the subject. However, the nature of the subject needs
interdisciplinarycollaborationofespeciallyneuroscientistsandphysicists/quantum
physicists and also possibly psychiatrists, philosophers and more. This paper is
therefore organized and prepared in order to serve to bridge the gap between
especially neuroscientists and quantum physicists. The present work in particular
dealswiththeSchrdingerwaveequationandwavefunctionthatlierightonthe
spine of the entire quantum physics and must be understood clearly before any
furthersteps.Morespecifically,thepaperfocusesonphilosophicalapproachesto
consciousness,Schrdingerwaveequation,wavefunctionanditsphysicalmeaning,
generalization of the wave function and finally general remarks on the relation
between consciousness/mind and quantum physics. Scientific and philosophical
background is momentarily fulfilled in advance to enhance the emotional
willingnessofthereaders.
1. Introduction1
Scientific research on relation between
consciousness/mind or brain and quantum
mechanics has not been progressed
sufficiently even though the roots go down to
1925s (Lotka, 1925; Bohr, 1928, Neumann,
Correspondingauthor:MustafaErol,Prof.,
Address:DepartmentofPhysicsEducation,EducationFacultyof
Buca,DokuzEyllUniversity,Buca,zmir,35160,TURKEY
Phone:+2324204882/1311
Fax:+2324204895
email:mustafa.erol@deu.edu.tr
ReceivedJan18,2010.RevisedFeb15,2010.AcceptedMarch17,
2010.
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
f ( x ) = a. f ( x )
A.
(1)
H(x,t)=K(x,t)+V(x,t)
(3)
( x,t ) = A.e i( kx t )
(4)
(2)
103
( x,t )
= i ( x,t )
t
( 5)
( 6)
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
where
h
= 1 , 054.1034 J.s.
E=hf= = where = =
2
h
p
)=
H(t
= i=
i t
t
(7)
p( x ) =
104
=
i x
= i=
( 8)
+V ( x ) =
+ V ( x )
2m x 2
( 9)
) (t ) = i= (t ) = E (t )
H(t
t
(10)
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
(t ) = 0 .e
E0
= 0 = 2 f0
(t ) = 0 .e
E0
.e
E ( t )dt
(12)
(11)
105
2
2
x ) ( x ) = = ( x )
H(
2m x 2
+V ( x ) ( x ) = E ( x )
(13)
( x,t ) = ( x ) (t )
(14)
d 2 ( x ) 2m
+ 2 [ E0 V ( x )] ( x ) = 0
=
dx 2
(15)
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
(16)
106
m = n 1
m n 0
(18)
(19)
n =1
This
general
principle
is
called
superposition principle. In fact, this
expression, ( x,t ) , gives the most general
form of the solution to the Schrdingers
equation for a potential energy of V(x). Its
generality can be appreciated by noting that
it is a function, which is composed of a very
large number of different functions
combined in proportions governed by the
adjustable constants, cn.
5. Physical Meaning of the Wave
Function
We at this instant want to discover what the
wave function of (x,t) physically means?
The wave function (x,t) has no physical
meaning on its own other than being a
mathematical expression however the
relation between the wave function and the
behavior of the associated particle must be
described. The quantum particle, associated
with the wave, must be at a specific time t
and location x where the waves are spread in
space and can only have an amplitude and
phase at that point and time. Talking about
the physical meaning of the wave function,
Borns interpretation also known as
Copenhagen interpretation, states that the
measurable physical quantity in this case is
probability density-P(x,t) and is defined as
the probability per unit length of x axis, of
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
(20)
It is well known fact that the total finding
probability of any particle within all allowed
space must be equal to unity so
(21)
can easily be written. In order to justify the
expression above, we consider the classical
definition of mean value given for any
variable. If the variable of position is given
for the state of n by xn and the probability of
being xn is given by Pn(x), then the mean
value is classically defined by Mean value
= x = x = n =1 Pn x n =
N
xf
P( x )xdx
(22)
xi
(23)
107
n =1
cn = Pn = 1
2
(24)
n =1
Pn = cn =
*
n
(25)
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ErolM.,Schrdingerwaveequationandfunction,relationswithconsciousness
(t ) = 0 .e
E0
c1 =
20
3( L) .
100
It seems very clear that before doing
any measurement, the particle can be at any
state and position with certain probabilities.
However at the measurement instant, the
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