Physical Chemistry Third Edition

16

The Principles of Quantum

Mechanics. II. The Postulates of

Quantum Mechanics

PRINCIPAL FACTS AND IDEAS

1. Quantum mechanics is based on a set of postulates (fundamental
   hypotheses).


2. The first two postulates establish the role of the wave function in quantum
   mechanics.


3. The third postulate establishes a connection between each mechanical
   variable and a mathematical operator.


4. The fourth postulate provides the means to obtain information about the
   values of mechanical variables.


5. The fifth postulate concerns the determination of the state of a system by
   experimental measurements.

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