## Wave Function and Orbitals

$H_{\psi }=E_{\psi }$

1-D: $E_{TOTAL}\psi (x)=E_{k}\psi (x)+V(x)\psi(x)=-\frac{h^{2}}{8\pi ^{2}m}\frac{d^{2}\psi(x)}{dx^{2}}+V(x)\psi(x)$

Alan Wu
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:16 am

### Wave Function and Orbitals

How exactly does Schrodinger's Wave Function equation relate to the orbitals (1s, 2s, 2p... etc.)? I know the orbitals are solutions to the Wave Function, but what exactly does that mean? Like do the orbitals have energies corresponding to the ones calculated by this equation?

Lindsey Chheng 1E
Posts: 110
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Wave Function and Orbitals

Alan Wu wrote:How exactly does Schrodinger's Wave Function equation relate to the orbitals (1s, 2s, 2p... etc.)? I know the orbitals are solutions to the Wave Function, but what exactly does that mean? Like do the orbitals have energies corresponding to the ones calculated by this equation?

Atomic orbitals are shapes in which there is a 90% chance of finding an electron. These shapes are described by a mathematical function called the wave function from Schrodinger's Wave Function Equation, which are essentially sin and cos functions.

Anisha Chandra 1K
Posts: 118
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Wave Function and Orbitals

I'm not entirely sure about the last part of your question, but I think the wave function is all about calculating probability that a particle is in a particular region. It also relates to the whole "particle in a box" model where the particle acts like a wave and only certain wavelengths exist in that box - aka that orbital.

Michelle N - 2C
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:19 am

### Re: Wave Function and Orbitals

Based on what I know, the Schrodinger's Wave Function helps describe an e- in atom since they portray wave-like properties.

Ψ^2 then represents the probability of finding an electron in a certain area. Although it doesn't precisely pinpoint the position of the electron, it helps with describing the behavior of the electrons, thus allowing the idea of orbitals come into play.

Hopefully this helps?