wave mechanics

noun

Physics.

1. a form of quantum mechanics formulated in terms of a wave equation, as the Schrödinger equation.

wave mechanics

noun

1. (functioning as singular) physics the formulation of quantum mechanics in which the behaviour of systems, such as atoms, is described in terms of their wave functions

wave mechanics

1. A theory that interprets the behavior of matter (especially subatomic or other small particles) in terms of the properties of waves. A broad range of physical phenomena, from the propagation of earthquakes to the structures of electron orbitals in atoms, have been understood using wave mechanics. Quantum mechanics uses a form of wave mechanics and involves wave equations such as Schrödinger's equation to capture both the wavelike and particlelike properties of matter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wave mechanics¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

This is not a new observation and standard wave mechanics can describe most of these daily phenomena.

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Heisenberg had developed his version of quantum mechanics, separate from Schrödinger’s wave mechanics, known as matrix mechanics.

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The observation excited the attention of the Austrian Erwin Schrödinger, who made some deft refinements and devised a handy system called wave mechanics.

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Our understanding of wave mechanics, on which those models are based, is wildly incomplete.

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Here is a book that ticks off the reactions of Einstein, Planck, Heisenberg, Born and Dirac to Schrödinger’s “wave mechanics,” and shows how remarkably smoothly Oppenheimer insinuated himself into those ranks.

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