Schrödinger equation

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the wave equation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics.

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Schrödinger equation British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of Schrödinger equation

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

Example Sentences

Using a model based on the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, the researchers confirmed that such a scattering barrier could account for both the missing harmonic and the reduced overall light output.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

In January, after reading about my struggle to understand the Schrödinger equation, Rudolph emailed me to suggest that I read Q Is for Quantum.

From Scientific American • Apr. 20, 2021

Quantum mechanics, in the form of the Schrödinger equation, provides the bridge between these steps.

From Nature • Feb. 26, 2019

Hoy, A. R. & Bunker, P. R. A precise solution of the rotation bending Schrödinger equation for a triatomic molecule with application to the water molecule.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

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

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife