Schrödinger equation
Wavefunction evolution law
The Schrödinger equation is the fundamental equation of quantum mechanics, describing how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time.
It governs the behavior of particles at atomic and subatomic scales, where classical physics breaks down.
The equation's solutions—wave functions—give probability distributions for where particles might be found.
Named for physicist Erwin Schrödinger, who formulated it in 1925.
Coexisting in multiple states
- quantum stateSubatomic system's complete description
- measurement problemWhy observation affects outcomes
- collapseSudden structural failure
- uncertainty principleConjugate variables resist simultaneous precision
Heisenberg · Dirac · energy levels · quantum tunneling · quantum entanglement · coherence · decoherence · observable
Standard quantum measurement theory
- determinismDoctrine of causal necessity
- indeterminacyLack of fixed outcome
- hidden variablesUnobserved explanatory quantities
- measurementDetermining size or amount
Quantum system's complete description
- eigenvalueScalar satisfying determinant equation
- eigenstateOperator-invariant quantum state
- boundary conditionsValues specified at limits
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
Smallest elemental particle
- ground stateLowest possible energy configuration
- excited stateElevated energy configuration
- electron cloudProbable electron location zone
- angular momentumRotational motion quantity
Changing over duration
- time-independentNot varying with time
- non-relativisticNot approaching light speed
- relativisticConcerning high-speed physics
superposition
Coexisting in multiple states
- quantum stateSubatomic system's complete description
- measurement problemWhy observation affects outcomes
- collapseSudden structural failure
uncertainty principle · Heisenberg · Dirac · energy levels · quantum tunneling · quantum entanglement · coherence · decoherence · observable · commutator
Copenhagen interpretation
Standard quantum measurement theory
- determinismDoctrine of causal necessity
- indeterminacyLack of fixed outcome
- hidden variablesUnobserved explanatory quantities
wave function
Quantum system's complete description
- eigenvalueScalar satisfying determinant equation
- eigenstateOperator-invariant quantum state
- boundary conditionsValues specified at limits
hydrogen atom
Smallest elemental particle
- ground stateLowest possible energy configuration
- excited stateElevated energy configuration
- electron cloudProbable electron location zone
time-dependent
Changing over duration
- time-independentNot varying with time
- non-relativisticNot approaching light speed
- relativisticConcerning high-speed physics
Schrödinger equationNewton's laws of motion
Rules governing force and acceleration
classical mechanics · Newtonian mechanics · Newton's second law · F=ma · classical physics
equation, Schrödinger's cat, quanta, quantum theory, quantization, wavefunction, Schrödinger