What is Schrödinger: Definition and 611 Discussions

Erwin Rudolf Josef Alexander Schrödinger (UK: , US: ; German: [ˈɛɐ̯viːn ˈʃʁøːdɪŋɐ]; 12 August 1887 – 4 January 1961), sometimes written as Erwin Schrodinger or Erwin Schroedinger ("oe" is the proper transliteration of the German "ö"), was a Nobel Prize-winning Austrian-Irish physicist who developed a number of fundamental results in quantum theory: the Schrödinger equation provides a way to calculate the wave function of a system and how it changes dynamically in time.
In addition, he was the author of many works on various aspects of physics: statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, physics of dielectrics, colour theory, electrodynamics, general relativity, and cosmology, and he made several attempts to construct a unified field theory. In his book What Is Life? Schrödinger addressed the problems of genetics, looking at the phenomenon of life from the point of view of physics. He paid great attention to the philosophical aspects of science, ancient and oriental philosophical concepts, ethics, and religion. He also wrote on philosophy and theoretical biology. He is also known for his "Schrödinger's cat" thought experiment.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. R

    Where Can I Find Solutions for 3D Schrödinger Equation?

    Hello everyone! I am a new member and please sorry for some question that perhaps were discussed here before. But really I need your help. I am searching for methods of solving 3 dimensional Schrödinger equation. Till now in internet I coulnd't find any solution. All the papers and articles are...
  2. T

    Time independent schrodinger equation: delta potential

    I'm currently reading Griffith's book on time independent Schroedinger's equation about delta functions. However, I complete dislike how the book deals with the delta distribution. firstly, the book discusses how to solve: -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx^2}-\alpha\delta\psi=E\psi for...
  3. B

    Can someone explain the Schrödinger equation?

    Sorry, I'm new, can someone provide a simplified (i.e. dumbed-down) explanation of the Schrodinger equation? i understand some of the basics of quantum mechanics, and i find this thread fascinating. at the base level, this seemed like a fairly straightforward question, but it seems there are...
  4. M

    Schrödinger eq. with 3D spherical potential

    Hello! I'm trying to solve some old exam exercises to prepare for my qm exam next week. Now I got a question I don't have any idea how to solve it. I hope somebody can help me: "The radial Schrödinger equation in the case of a 3D spherical symmetric potential V(r) can be written in the...
  5. A

    How is the conjugate momentum defined in the Schrödinger picture of QFT?

    Hi, I have been wondering why we can consider d(phi)/dt when we are in Schrödinger picture (phi is just the usual scalar field here). Isn't this 0 as operators do not depend on time in this picture? However then how does it make sense to talk about the conjugate momentum in this picture which...
  6. M

    Schrodinger eqn. and its relativistic generalisations

    I've suddenly run into a problem. This has probably arisen from the fact that I've yet to have (and may never have) formal teaching on the relativistic generalisation of QM. I see the Schrodinger equation proper as \hat{H}| \psi (t) \rangle = i\hbar \frac{d}{dt} | \psi (t) \rangle Is this...
  7. S

    Bound states for a Spherically Symmetric Schrodinger equation

    Homework Statement A particle of mass m moves in three dimensions in a potential energy field V(r) = -V0 r< R 0 if r> R where r is the distance from the origin. Its eigenfunctions psi(r) are governed by \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \nabla^2 \psi + V(r) \psi = E \psi ALL in spherical coords...
  8. S

    Question about schrodinger equation

    Note that this is not homework... I am just curious The time independant Schrodinger equation can be written as \hat{H} \psi = E\psi IS there ever a time taht the above equation is not true?? what about the time dependant case?? We haven't gone over that in class so I am not quite...
  9. Q

    Schrodinger equation in the spherical coordinates

    If using spherical coordinates (r, theta, phi) , what is the meaning of the canonical momentum of theta, phi? What are their definitions and mathematical form? In solving the Hydrogen problem, one has not take into consideration P_theta and P_phi at all. Quantum River
  10. B

    Eigenstates and eigenfunctions and Schrodinger - HELP PLEASE

    A couple of things first - Whats an eigenfunction? Whats an eigenvalue? I've been doing a course on quantum mechanics for nearly 2 months and whilst these words have popped up in both notes and lectures no-one has actually bothered to explain what they are or what they mean! Next thing. Can...
  11. L

    Solving Schrodinger for eingenvalues

    I'm looking to solve schrodingers equation for the bound energy state energy eigenfunctions, for a particle in a 1-D potential well (E<Vo), where; V(x)= (inf, x<0) (0, 0<x<a) (Vo, x>a)so we know when x>a our function is going to be a negative exp, and between 0 and a the function is...
  12. J

    Schrodinger equation Eigenfunction problem

    So, here's the question: \psi(x) = A*(\frac{x}{x_{0}})^n*e^(\frac{-x}{x_{0}}) Where A, n, and X0 are constants. Using Schrodinger's equation, find the potential U(x) and energy E such that the given wave function is an eigenfunction (we can assume that at x = infinity there is 0...
  13. S

    Delta function potential and Schrodinger Equation

    I have a time dependent wavefunction for inside a delta function potential well: V(x) = -a delta(x). It reads Psi(x,t) = (sqrt(m*a)/hbar) * exp(-m*a*abs(x)/hbar^2) * exp(-iEt/hbar) I'm supposed to stick this back into the time dependent Schrodinger Equation and solve for E. Taking my...
  14. D

    Linearity of Schrodinger Equation

    Could someone please address this question? How do you algebraically demonstrate the superposition principle revealed by the Schrodinger equation (ie. If Psi1(x,t) and Psi2(x,t) are both solutions then Psi(x,t)= Psi1(x,t)+Psi2(x,t) is also a solution.)?
  15. S

    Schrodinger Equation HELP: Find Energy Emitted by Photon in Infinitely Deep Well

    HELP! I need to find the energy emitted by a photon if an electron is confined in an infinitely deep well. Can someone tell me what the hell to do please?! I'm desperate! Thanks!
  16. Useful nucleus

    Finding Schrödinger & De Broglie's 1926 Quantum Physics Papers

    I have just read that Schrödinger had wrote six research papers ( in 1926) in which he presented the complete mathematical foundation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics . Also read that De Broglie supported his proposal (the duality) by a proof derived from relativity theory . Are these...
  17. L

    Who Was the First to Use Wave Mechanics to Study Electrons in the Hydrogen Atom?

    Here is an objective question: The first full presentation of the behavior of electron in hydrogen atom by using wave mechanics is by: Louis de Broglie or Schrodinger? As far as I know, Schrodinger is famous for his wave equation. Meanwhile, de Broglie is known for the equation lambda= h/mv.
  18. S

    Exploring the Time Dependence of Wave Functions with the Schrodinger Equation

    By noting that the time dependence of the wave function is governed by the Schrodinger equation show that \frac{d(\Psi^* x \Psi)}{dt} = \frac{i \hbar}{2m} \left[x\Psi^* \frac{d^2\Psi}{dx^2} - x \Psi \frac{d^2 \Psi^*}{dx^2} \right] not sure where to start on this one actually... do i start...
  19. B

    Solution of 1D Schrodinger using discretized hamiltonian

    Hi all, I'm trying to solve the 1D Schrodinger equation for an arbritary potential, to calculate Franck Condon factors for absorption and emmision spectra. I can do this using iterative techniques (e.g. the Numerov method), but I can't seem to get it to work by discretrizing the hamiltonian...
  20. E

    Schrodinger equation in gravitational field

    I read article http://www.oup.co.uk/pdf/0-19-850687-2.pdf There is described Schrodinger equation in gravitational field (1.10) and COW experiment. But once I found article, where it is shown that this Schrodinger equation is in direct contradiction with principle of equivalence. Can...
  21. W

    Struggling to Get the Same Result: Solving Schrödinger Equation

    In http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1965/feynman-lecture.html" , he mentions this: I'm trying to get the same result, but I'm stuck. Has anyone done this before?
  22. M

    Derive schrodinger equ. from

    Pls derive the time-independent schrodinger equ from the time-dependent equ.? Thanks! Anyone has any sugestiond on how to approach this? -\frac {\hbar^2} {2m} \frac {\partial^2 \psi(x,t)} {\partial (x)^2} + U\psi(x,t) =i\hbar\frac{\partial\psi(x,t)}{\partial (t)}
  23. D

    Complex Schrodinger Equation, references?

    Complex Schrodinger Equation, references?? hopefully i can explain what i am looking for well enough for somebody to understand. I am interested in finding any references for work that has been done on solving the schrodinger equation in C^n rather than in R^n, as in on the complex plane with...
  24. S

    Schrodinger equation in matrix form

    I have been asked to show that the Schroding equation is equivalent to: i(hbar)d/dt(cn(t))=sum over m (Hnm*cm(t)) where Hnm=integral over all space of (complex conjugate of psin)*Hamiltonian operating on psim psi=sum over n (cn(t)*psin) But i don't know how to even start this question.
  25. U

    Finding Probability of Particle in Box Length L w/Schrodinger Equation

    I think I copied the wrong notes or something because my notes do not follow. I am trying to find the probability of finding a particle in a box length L in the area \frac{L}{3}-\frac{\partial}{2} to \frac{L}{3}+\frac{\partial}{2} basically we have the following wave funtion...
  26. G

    You cannot derieve Schrödinger Equation .

    "You cannot derieve Schrödinger Equation". Bah. We're being told this over and over again. Then the game guy invents operators to extract momentum and energy from wavefunction, then puts them in Newtwon equation! He's saying exactly this: \frac{p^2}{2m} + V = E Should I look amazed when this...
  27. R

    A new nonlinear Schrodinger equation

    At this link: http://www.geocities.com/ptep_online/PP-04-07.PDF is a recent paper by Carlos Castro on a new nonlinear Schrodinger equation--for those that work in this area.
  28. K

    Schrödinger equation: P(r)>1 ?

    Schrödinger equation: P(r)>1 ? I have the solution of the Schrödinger equation for the ground state of the hydrogen electron. The solution ist: u100(r)=sqrt(1/(pi*a^3))*exp(-r/a) If I want to calculate some probabilty values I do this with: P(r)=4*pi*r^2*|u100|^2 If I set r=10^-13 I...
  29. M

    How Do You Find the Time Evolution of a Wave Function in Quantum Mechanics?

    I'm given the value of a normalized wave function at t=0 (see attachment) and I'm asked to find the wave function at some time t. I have no idea where to even begin, the book has zero examples of anything and I'm just stuck :confused:
  30. G

    Exploring Effects of Schrodinger Field in Condensed Matter

    If we take the non-relativistic limit of either the K.G. field equation or the Dirac field equation(where the field obeys commutator relations),we get the Schrodinger equation.Obviously at no point does the field turn into a wavefunction---so the Schrodinger equation also is an equation for the...
  31. H

    Schrödinger equation and equivalence principle

    May be this is a silly question, but if one converts the nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation for a free particle to an uniformly accelerated frame, is the result the same as the Schrödinger equation for a particle within a gravitational potential? I was trying some simple calculations but did...
  32. D

    Schrodinger equotion & quantum physics

    i'm a green hand in this field,maybe the question i asked is droll,but i want to know some wonder thing about quantum physics. i know that one dimensional potential trap can be reckoned from Schrodinger equotion, but what about the actually fact? How dose one dimensional potential trap form...
  33. Z

    Understanding the Terms in the 1-D Schrodinger Equation

    what is the physical significance of each of the terms in the 1-D time indipendant schrodinger equation?
  34. R

    Schrödinger Ecuation & Continuity Ecuation | R. Aparicio

    Dear Friends, Just adjoint a link to a page (finally and pourly translated to english) about the Schrödinger ecuation and the continuity ecuation, but inversed the way to obtain one to other... interesting to understand quantum mechanics. It's a part of a chapter, of a book in spanish...
  35. S

    Need Help Solving the 3D Schrodinger Equation?

    Hi, I am looking for a book which explains the solving methods for 3d schrodinger equation. Can you help me? Roitan
  36. S

    Solving the schrodinger equation

    Hi, I am looing for a book that explains the solving methods for 3D schrodinger equation. Can anybody help me? Sanam
  37. Q

    Schrodinger using a Hermite Polynomial

    Can some1 help me solve a first energy level Schrodinger (\psi_{1})with a the Hermite polynomial and also show that it equals to \frac{3}{2}\hbar \omega? I got as far as \newcommand{\pd}[3]{ \frac{ \partial^{#3}{#1} }{ \partial {#2}^{#3} } }\frac{\hbar^2}{2 m} \ \pd{\Psi}{x}{2} + V \Psi =...
  38. W

    A question about the adding of potential in Schrodinger equation

    If H1=P^2/2m+V1(x), H2=P^2/2m+V2(x), H=P^2/2m+V1(x)+V2(x) and H1 f1_i(x)=E1_i*f1_i(x), H2 f2_j(x)=E2_j*f2_j(x), H f_k(x)=E_k*f_k(x) Is there any relation between f1_i(x),f2_j(x),f_k(x)?Can we express f_k(x) in terms of f1_i(x) and f2_j(x)?
  39. I

    Solving the Schrodinger Equation for 1D Electron Motion

    I am trying to find the Schrodinger's equation for the one-dimensional motion of an electron, not acted upon by any forces. So.. should I begin using the time independent form of the Schrodinger's equation? What should I arrive at? Should I let my V(x) = 0? Also, how do I show that...
  40. N

    Question about Schrodinger equation, potential and energy

    Ok, I know that the 1D time-independent Schrodinger equation is -\frac {\hbar^2} {2m} \frac {d^2 \psi(x)} {dx^2} + V(x) \psi(x) = E \psi(x). Why is it that you can mix potentials and energies in the same equation? For example, if you're saying that V(x) has a constant value, say, V(x) = V_{0}...
  41. O

    Understanding the Schrodinger Equation: The Effects of Multiplying by a Constant

    can you explain this statement "if psi is a solution of a schrodinger equation, then so is kpsi, where k is any constant". why is that multplying psi by a constant does not its value?
  42. B

    Proving Schrödinger Equation for Normalizable Solutions

    Hi, I have a problem. I want to show that \frac{d}{dt} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \psi_1^{*}\psi_2 dx = 0 for any two (normalizable) solutions to the Schrödinger equation. I have tried rearranging the Schrödinger equation to yield expressions for \psi_1^{*} and \psi_2 like this...
  43. R

    Heisenberg vs schrodinger picture

    How does one work in the Heisenberg picture? Can you dequantize and solve the classical Hamilton's equations and somehow requantize this classical solution for the time evolution of the position and momentum operators (and more importantly the eigenvectors)? How would one go about doing that...
  44. V

    Can schrodinger equation be proved

    :confused: Newton's equation (F=ma) could derive from Lagrangian, My question is, could we derive the schrodinger equation from the more fundemantal principle in Physics...
  45. R

    Can Schrodinger's Equation be Simplified for Faster Transformation?

    Dear friends, How can I transform this \frac{\partial (\Psi \Psi^*)}{\partial t}=- \frac{\nabla^2 \hbar^2}{2m} (\Psi \Psi^*)+\vec{v}(\Psi \Psi^*) To this? \frac{\partial (\Psi)}{\partial t}=- \frac{\nabla^2 \hbar^2}{2m} (\Psi )+\vec{v}(\Psi) ... at one day of the new...
  46. S

    Answer for schrodinger cat paradox

    Recently I have read "Beyond The Quantum Paradox" by Lazar Mayants. The author claimed that Schrodinger Cat Paradox can be solved by the following way: "Since the reasoning of conventional quantum mechanic employs probability, it must concern an abstract cat, whereas any cat experiment, even an...
  47. S

    What is Decoherence and How Does It Solve Schrodinger's Cat Paradox?

    A cat and a flask of poison are enclosed together in a hermetically sealed opaque container. If the flask is broken, the cat is killed by the poison. Breakage of the flask is triggered by the discharge of a Geiger placed behind one of two holes made in a screen which is irradiated at the front...
  48. L

    From the Schrödinger equation to the wavepacket reduction axiom

    In the very first pages of "Quantum Mechanics" by Landau & Lifchitz, the measurement process is described as an interaction between a quantum system and a "classical" system. I like this interpretation since any further evolution of the quantum system is anyway entangled with the "classical"...
  49. E

    Schrodinger probability problem

    Here's my problem: Using the normalization constant A=(mw/h*pi)^(1/4) and a = mw/2h, evaluate the probability to find an oscillator in the ground state beyond the classical turning points -A0 and A0. Assume A0= .1nm an k = 1 eV/square nm. The h variables actually represent h/2pi. The wave...
  50. D

    Time reversibility Schrodinger Eq.

    I heard nonrelativistic QM is time-reversible. How does this follow from the Schrodinger equation?
Back
Top