Question

In the Schrodinger’s wave equation $\psi$ represents:
(A) Orbit
(B) Wave Function
(C) Wave
(D) Radial Probability

Answer 1

For the wave motion of the electron in the three dimensional space around the nucleus, the Schrodinger equation was introduced. It gives us a detailed account of the form of the wave functions or probability waves that control the motion of some smaller particles.

Complete step by step answer:
The Schrodinger equation is given by:
$\dfrac{{{\partial ^2}\Psi }}{{\partial {x^2}}} + \dfrac{{{\partial ^2}\Psi }}{{\partial {y^2}}} + \dfrac{{{\partial ^2}\Psi }}{{\partial {z^2}}} + \dfrac{{8{\pi ^2}m}}{{{h^2}}}(E - V)\Psi = 0$
where, $\Psi$ is the amplitude of the wave where the coordinates of the electron are $(x,y,z),E$ is the total energy of the electron, $V$ is its potential energy, $m$ is the mass of the electron and h is the Planck's constant.
$\dfrac{{{\partial ^2}\Psi }}{{\partial {x^2}}}$ represents the second derivative of $\Psi$ with respect to x and so on.
The $\Psi$ in Schrodinger's equation represents the wave function.
Schrodinger wave equation is a mathematical expression which describes the energy and position of the electron in space and time, alongwith taking into account the matter wave nature of the electron inside an atom.
It is based on three considerations. They are;
Classical plane wave equation,
Broglie’s Hypothesis of matter-wave, and
Conservation of Energy.
Besides, by calculating the Schrödinger equation we obtain $\psi$ and ${\psi ^2}$ which helps us determine the quantum numbers as well as the orientations and the shape of orbitals where electrons are found in a molecule or an atom.

So, Option (B) is Correct.

Note: The equation is used to find the allowed energy levels of quantum mechanical systems (such as atoms, or transistors). With the help of wave function, we can predict the region of space around the nucleus within which the probability of finding the electron with a definite value of energy is maximum.