Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Wave functions are mathematical descriptions that represent the behavior of particles, such as electrons, in quantum mechanics. They provide information about the probability distribution of finding a particle in different states.
AP course connection
Topic Vl7ZDenEilnh_q3hEO6Ro: 2022 AP Physics 2 Exam Guide
The branch of physics that deals with the behavior of particles at very small scales, where classical physics laws no longer apply.
Superposition: A principle in quantum mechanics stating that particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously until they are observed or measured.