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for n particles, where the potential function V depends on all the 3n coordinates. Except
for the hydrogen and helium atoms (the latter having two electrons), the mathematical
analysis is impossible to carry out completely and cannot be calculated even with the help
of the modern computer. Nevertheless, with the use of various approximations, many
of the facts about more complicated atoms and the chemical binding of molecules can
be understood. This has been a brief introduction to the sources of PDEs in physical
problems. Many realistic situations lead to much more complicated PDEs.
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