An eigenfunction of an operator is a function such that the application of on gives. again, times a constant. (49) where k is a constant called the eigenvalue. It is easy to show that if is a linear operator with an eigenfunction , then any multiple of is also an eigenfunction of .

What is eigenvalue and eigenfunction in chemistry?

Equation 3.4. ... Such an equation, where the operator, operating on a function, produces a constant times the function, is called an eigenvalue equation. The function is called an eigenfunction, and the resulting numerical value is called the eigenvalue.

What is an eigenvalue in chemistry?

The term eigenvalue is used to designate the value of measurable quantity associated with the wavefunction. If you want to measure the energy of a particle, you have to operate on the wavefunction with the Hamiltonian operator (Equation 3.3. 6).