Comparison

Quantum Wave in a Box vs Mathematical Playground Lite

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Quantum Wave in a Box

This app numerically solves the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation for non-relativistic particles in user-defined potential fields. It provides energy levels, wave-functions, and animations of wave-packet evolution. Ideal for physics students and educators to visualize quantum mechanics concepts.

Highlights
  • Schrödinger equation solver (1D)
  • User-defined potential V(x)
  • Hamiltonian matrix diagonalization
  • Wave-packet evolution animation
  • Energy levels and wave-functions visualization
  • RPN expression input for V(x)
Features
Read full description

Schrödinger equation solver 1D. User defined potential V(x). Diagonalization of hamiltonian matrix. Animation showing evolution in time of a gaussian wave-packet. In Quantum Mechanics the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation is a fundamental academic though exciting subject of study for both students and teachers of Physics. A solution of this differential equation represents the motion of a non-relativistic particle in a potential energy field V(x). But very few solutions can be derived with a paper and pencil. Have you ever dreamed of an App which would solve this equation (numerically) for each input of V(x) ? Give you readily energy levels and wave-functions and let you see as an animation how evolves in time a gaussian wave-packet in this particular interaction field ? Quantum Wave in a Box does it ! For a large range of values of the quantum system parameters. Actually the originally continuous x-spatial differential problem is discretized over a finite interval (the Box) while time remains a continuous variable. The time-independent Schrödinger equation H ψ(x) = E ψ(x), represented by a set of linear equations, is solved by using quick diagonalization routines. The solution ψ(x,t) of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation is then computed as ψ(x,t) = exp(-iHt) ψ₀(x) where ψ₀(x) is a gaussian wave-packet at initial time t = 0. You enter V(x) as RPN expression, set values of parameters and will get a solution in many cases within seconds ! - Atomic units used throughout (mass of electron = 1) - Quantum system defined by mass, interval [a, b] representing the Box and (real) potential energy V(x). - Spatially continuous problem discretized over [a, b] and time-independent Schrödinger equation represented by a system of N+1 linear equations using a 3, 5 or 7 point stencil; N being the number of x-steps. Maximum value of N depends on device’s RAM: up to 4000 when computing eigenvalues and eigenvectors, up to 8000 when computing eigenvalues only. - Diagonalization of hamiltonian matrix H gives eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. When computing eigenvalues only, lowest energy levels of bound states (if any) with up to 10-digit precision. - Listing of energy levels and visualisation of eigenwave-functions. - Animation shows gaussian wave-packet ψ(x,t) evolving with real-time evaluation of average velocity, kinetic energy and total energy. - Toggle between clockwise and counter-clockwise evolution of ψ(x,t). - Watch Real ψ, Imag ψ or probability density |ψ|². - Change initial gaussian parameters of the wave-packet (position, group velocity, standard deviation), enter any time value, then tap refresh button to observe changes in curves without new diagonalization. This is particularly useful to get a (usually more precise) solution for any time value t when animation is slower in cases of N being large. - Watch both solution ψ(x,t) and free wave-packet curves evolve together in time and separate when entering non-zero potential energy region. - Zoom in and out any part of the curves and watch how ψ(x,t) evolve locally.

About

Mathematical Playground Lite

Explore three-dimensional shapes with this educational application. It aids in understanding and visualizing complex geometric forms, offering tools to manipulate and study them. This lite version provides access to all shapes and core functionalities.

Highlights
  • Explore 3D shapes
  • Visualize geometric forms
  • Cut and expand shapes
  • Receive shape data from full version
  • All shapes available
Features
Read full description

This is an educational app that is useful for exploring three dimensional shapes. Have you ever had difficulty drawing three dimensional shapes? This app may help you study about shapes. Since this app is the lite version, less features are available than the full-version. But all shapes are available. And you can cut, expand shapes, and also receive shape data from the full-version of this app. --- This app runs on… [iPhone] iPhone 4s or newer. [iPad] iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation or newer, iPad mini series, iPad Air series, iPad Pro series. [iPod touch] iPod touch (5th generation or newer). [OS] iOS12.0 or elder.

Screenshots

Quantum Wave in a Box4 screens
Mathematical Playground Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mathematical Playground Lite at 41% against Quantum Wave in a Box's 0%. Mathematical Playground Lite also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 37 months) and rating (4.0 vs 3.6). Quantum Wave in a Box's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mathematical Playground Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Quantum Wave in a Box's written reviews are positive against 41% of Mathematical Playground Lite's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Quantum Wave in a Box ships an update every 37 months, Mathematical Playground Lite every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Quantum Wave in a Box versus Mathematical Playground Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQuantum Wave in a BoxMathematical Playground Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (5 ratings)4.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews40.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMichel RamillonJun Nakashima

Customer experience

Quantum Wave in a Box

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Mathematical Playground Lite

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive40.9%
Neutral13.6%
Negative45.5%

In-app purchases

None

Quantum Wave in a Box

No in-app purchases

None

Mathematical Playground Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Quantum Wave in a Box free?
Quantum Wave in a Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mathematical Playground Lite free?
Mathematical Playground Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Quantum Wave in a Box or Mathematical Playground Lite?
Mathematical Playground Lite is rated higher. Quantum Wave in a Box averages 3.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Mathematical Playground Lite averages 4.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Quantum Wave in a Box or Mathematical Playground Lite have ads?
Neither Quantum Wave in a Box nor Mathematical Playground Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Quantum Wave in a Box or Mathematical Playground Lite?
Quantum Wave in a Box ships an update every 37 months, and Mathematical Playground Lite every 2 months. Most recently, Quantum Wave in a Box was updated on November 2, 2026 and Mathematical Playground Lite on November 2, 2026.

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