Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy in the presence of an observer. It is the foundation of modern physics and the theory of the wave-particle duality.
In quantum mechanics, particles (like atoms and photons)ooze and change their states as they interact with other particles. The behavior of a particle is described by its wave function, which gives the probability amplitude for finding the particle at a certain location.
The wave function evolves according to the Schrödinger equation, which is a differential equation that describes how wave functions change over time. The solutions to this equation are called eigenfunctions, and they determine the allowed states of a quantum system.
Eigenfunctions can be combined to form more complex wave functions that describe interactions between particles. By solving the Schrödinger equation, physicists can predict the behavior of systems ranging from subatomic particles to galaxies.