The Schrödinger Equation

Abstract

We shall now make use of the conceptual ideas which we introduced in the previous chapter, i.e., we shall cast, in mathematical form, the description of an electron as a wave, as suggested by Schrödinger in 1926. All “derivations” of the Schrödinger equation start in one way or another from certain assumptions which cause the uninitiated reader to ask the legitimate question, “Why just in this way?” The answer to this question can naturally be given, but these explanations are relatively involved. In addition, the “derivations” of the Schrödinger equation do not further our understanding of quantum mechanics. It is, therefore, not intended to “derive” here the Schrödinger equation. We consider this relation as a fundamental equation for the description of wave properties of electrons, just as Newton’s equations describe the matter properties of large particles.