[Physics] Derivation of time independent Schrödinger equation

quantum mechanicsschroedinger equation

In the derivation of time-independent Schrödinger equation, after a certain point in time, LHS (time-dependent) and RHS (space dependent) are taken to be equal to a constant.

$$
i\hbar \frac{1}{\varphi}\frac{\partial\varphi}{\partial t} = -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{1}{\psi}\frac{\partial^2\psi}{\partial x^2} + V(x)
$$
Is this true for any case, say $x = 2t$ where $x$ and $t$ are any variables?
Should both sides be equal to a constant?

Best Answer

The derivation of the time-independent Schrödinger equation doesn't assume both sides equal a constant. It begins with the assumption that the wavefunction can be written as a product of two functions: one depending on the coordinate and one on time.

Edit: Adding details of argument

I am assuming $\varphi$ and $\psi$ are equations of just time and just position, respectively. That is,

$$ \varphi = \varphi(t) \\ \psi = \psi(x) $$

We have

$$ i\hbar\frac{1}{\varphi(t)}\frac{d\varphi}{dt}\left(t\right) = -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{1}{\psi(x)}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx}\left(x\right) + V(x) \tag{1} $$

Note that the LHS is a function of $t$ and the RHS is a function of $x$, and $t$ is independent from $x$. Assume both sides are not constant, and that equality holds for some $t_o, x_o$.

$$ i\hbar\frac{1}{\varphi(t_o)}\frac{d\varphi}{dt}\left(t_o\right) = -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{1}{\psi(x_o)}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx}\left(x_o\right) + V(x_o) = A \tag{2} $$

Since $t$ and $x$ are independent, if equality holds for $t_o, x$ such that $x \neq x_o$,

$$ i\hbar\frac{1}{\varphi(t_o)}\frac{d\varphi}{dt}\left(t_o\right) = -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{1}{\psi(x)}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx}\left(x\right) + V(x) \tag{3} $$

(2) and (3) imply

$$ -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{1}{\psi(x)}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx}\left(x\right) + V(x) = A \hspace{2em} \forall x $$

By similarly writing the equation for $t, x_o$ one gets the LHS of (1) to equal $A$ as well.