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Hartree method

physics
Also known as: Hartree-Fock equation, Hartree-Fock method

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The Hartree method, also known as the self-consistent field approximation, is a crucial technique in physics for understanding the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules. Developed by English physicist Douglas R. Hartree, this method simplifies complex quantum mechanical problems by treating each electron as moving independently within an average electric field created by the nucleus and other electrons. This approach allows for the calculation of individual electron wave functions, or orbitals, and forms the basis for understanding atomic structure and chemical bonding. The Hartree-Fock method, a generalization of Hartree's work, is widely used in atomic and molecular calculations.12

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