Schrödinger equation

noun

Physics.

1. the wave equation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics.

Schrödinger equation

noun

1. an equation used in wave mechanics to describe a physical system. For a particle of mass m and potential energy V it is written (i h /2π).(∂ψ/∂ t ) = (– h ²/8π² m )∇²ψ + Vψ, where i = √–1, h is the Planck constant, t the time, ∇² the Laplace operator, and ψ the wave function

Word History and Origins

Origin of Schrödinger equation¹

1950–55; after E. Schrödinger ( def. )

Example Sentences

Researchers can deduce the behavior of a molecule by solving its Schrödinger equation, which in part describes the probabilistic, wavelike behavior of electrons and their interactions with atomic nuclei, based on inputs such as electron energy levels and chemical bond lengths.

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Erwin Schrödinger, author of the Schrödinger equation that governs the wave function, was one of the first to express the general dissatisfaction of the physics community.

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This comes with the important caveat that the information we’re talking about is the global quantum state, which evolves according to the Schrödinger equation.

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The Schrödinger equation predicts the likelihood of finding a particle in a certain state.

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Mathematicians know how to describe them: they are wave functions, solutions to a differential equation called the Schrödinger equation.

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