A short, foundational lecture on

quantum mechanics should introduce

the key historical motivations, the
core postulates, the Schrödinger
equation, and a few canonical
examples like the particle in a box
and the harmonic oscillator,
emphasizing how measurements and
probability differ from classical
physics . The essentials below are
structured to be covered in roughly
45–60 minutes, with brief derivations
and examples that illustrate each
concept .
Why quantum
mechanics
Classical physics fails for atomic-
scale phenomena such as blackbody
radiation, photoelectric effect, and
Compton scattering, prompting a new
framework that treats matter and
radiation with both wave-like and
particle-like aspects . Wave–particle
duality explains that
interference/diffraction demand a
wave description, while photoelectric
and Compton effects require
quantized, particle-like photons,
motivating probabilistic
wavefunctions for matter as
well . These anomalies led to the
 development of a consistent theory—
quantum mechanics—that accurately
predicts atomic spectra, binding
energies, and nanoscale behavior
beyond Newtonian mechanics .
Core postulates
1. State postulate: The physical state is
represented by a complex
wavefunction ψ(r,t), whose modulus
squared gives position probability
density; normalization enforces total
probability 1 and ψ must be single-
valued, continuous, and finite .
2. Observables as operators:
Measurable quantities correspond to
linear Hermitian operators on states,
ensuring real expectation values and
a consistent spectral theory for
measurements .
3. Measurement/eigenvalues: A
measurement of an observable Â
 yields one of Â’s eigenvalues, and
eigenstates yield definite outcomes;
the statistics follow the Born rule via
projection amplitudes .
4. Expectation values: For normalized
ψ, the average of  is ⟨Â⟩ = ∫ψ*(r,t) Â
ψ(r,t) dτ,
 linking operators to measurable
ensemble averages .
5. Time evolution: Closed-system
dynamics obey the time-dependent
Schrödinger equation iħ ∂ψ/∂t = Ĥψ,
defining unitary evolution generated
by the Hamiltonian Ĥ .
6. Identical particles: Many-fermion
wavefunctions are antisymmetric
under particle exchange,
incorporating spin and underpinning
the Pauli principle for electrons .
Schrödinger equation
The Schrödinger equation governs
how quantum states change in time
and how energy eigenstates are
determined, forming the central
dynamical law of nonrelativistic
quantum mechanics . Linearity
enables superposition: if ψ1 and ψ2
solve the equation, so does aψ1 +
bψ2, making interference and basis
expansions fundamental tools for
solving dynamics . The time-
independent form Ĥψ = Eψ emerges
when the potential is static, leading to
stationary states with simple time
factors e^(−iEt/ħ) and
facilitating separation of variables in
many problems .
Physical meaning of ψ
The wavefunction’s squared
magnitude, |ψ(r,t)|², gives the
probability density for finding a
particle near position r at time t,
encoding all accessible information
about the system’s configuration-
space statistics . Normalization ∫|ψ|²
dτ = 1 and boundary conditions select
physically realizable states;
expectation values and variances
derive from operator matrix elements
with ψ . These rules replace
deterministic trajectories with
probabilistic predictions, where
dynamics are continuous but
outcomes of measurements are
inherently probabilistic and quantized
by operator spectra .
 Canonical 1D examples
7. Particle in a box: With infinite walls,
allowed stationary states are
sinusoidal modes with quantized
energies En ∝ n², capturing
confinement-induced discretization
and nodes in ψ .
8. Finite well and delta potential: Bound
and
 scattering states illustrate tunneling
and transmission resonances,
highlighting how sub-barrier
penetration has nonzero probability .
9. Harmonic oscillator: Solutions yield
equally spaced levels En = ħω(n +
1/2) and admit both differential and
ladder-operator approaches,
providing a backbone for quantized
fields .
Spin and two-state
systems
Spin-1/2 systems, such as in the
Stern–Gerlach experiment,
demonstrate discrete outcomes and
state preparation, serving as minimal
models for superposition,
measurement, and unitary
rotations . Two-level Hamiltonians
describe Rabi oscillations and
coherent control, with ammonia
inversion and magnetic resonance as
illustrative physical realizations .
Measurement,
superposition,
uncertainty
Linearity and superposition allow
states to be coherent sums of
eigenstates, producing
 interference until a measurement
projects the state, altering future
statistics in a way absent from
classical theory . Incompatible
observables (e.g., position and
momentum) obey noncommuting
operator algebra, entailing
uncertainty relations that limit
simultaneous sharp values, a
structural feature rather than
experimental imperfection . These
principles are operationalized through
spectra, eigenfunctions, and time
evolution to produce testable
probabilities for outcomes across
atomic and condensed-matter
systems .
Suggested one-lecture
flow
10. Motivation and duality (5–10 min):
Historical failures, wave vs particle
 evidence, the need for a new
framework .
11. Postulates overview (10–15 min):

State, operators, measurement,

expectation values, time evolution,
identical particles .
12. Schrödinger equation basics (10–15

min): Time-dependent vs time-

independent forms, linearity and
superposition, stationary states .
13. Worked example (10–15 min):
Particle in a box or harmonic
oscillator to illustrate quantization,
boundary conditions, and expectation
values .
Further study materials
14. MIT OCW Quantum Physics I notes:
concise outlines of linearity, complex
amplitudes, and loss of classical
determinism with worked examples
for a first course .
15. David Tong’s lecture notes: a

comprehensive, readable introduction

with derivations and problem sets
suitable for a semester course .
16. Griffiths textbook: widely used

problem-driven introduction with clear

derivations and extensive exercises
to solidify understanding .
17. NPTEL “Quantum Mechanics I”:

structured video lectures and

syllabus for a paced progression
through bound states, linear vector
spaces, and applications .
Key takeaways
Quantum mechanics replaces
deterministic trajectories with
a wavefunction whose squared
magnitude gives probabilities, and
whose evolution is determined by
the Schrödinger equation . Observa
bles are represented by Hermitian
operators, whose eigenvalues are
the only possible measurement
outcomes, with superposition and
interference arising from the linear
structure of the theory .