The Schrödinger Equation
In 1926, working in intense concentration at a ski resort in Arosa (with his mistress, though historians dispute whom), Schrödinger derived his wave equation: iħ∂ψ/∂t = Ĥψ. The equation describes how the quantum state of a system evolves over time. It is the quantum analog of Newton's second law, and it works — its predictions match experiment to extraordinary precision.
Schrödinger's Cat
In 1935, disturbed by what quantum mechanics seemed to imply, Schrödinger proposed a thought experiment: a cat in a sealed box with a quantum mechanism that may or may not release poison. According to Copenhagen quantum mechanics, the cat would be neither alive nor dead until observed — a superposition of states. Schrödinger intended this as a reductio ad absurdum of quantum mechanics. It became its most famous illustration instead.
What Is Life?
In 1944, Schrödinger gave lectures later published as What Is Life? He speculated that the gene must be an 'aperiodic crystal' — a molecule encoding information without regular repeating structure. This analysis inspired Watson and Crick, who credited the book directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Schrödinger equation?
The Schrödinger equation (iħ∂ψ/∂t = Ĥψ) describes how the quantum wave function of a system evolves over time. It is the fundamental equation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, predicting probabilities of measurement outcomes with extraordinary precision.
What is Schrödinger's cat?
Schrödinger's cat is a 1935 thought experiment: a cat in a sealed box with a quantum trigger that may release poison. By quantum superposition logic, the cat is theoretically both alive and dead until observed. Schrödinger intended it to show quantum mechanics was incomplete; it became its most famous illustration.
How did Schrödinger influence biology?
Schrödinger's 1944 book What Is Life? proposed that genes must be an 'aperiodic crystal' encoding information. This inspired Francis Crick and James Watson, who credited the book as a key influence in their search for DNA's structure.
