Derivation of the Schrödinger Equation from Fundamental Principles
Abstract
Schrödinger’s path to the quantum mechanical wave equation was heuristic and guided more by physical intuition than formal deduction. Here we derive the Schrödinger equation for the particle’s wave function Ψ, assuming that the complex function Ψ(t,r→) has a meaning of the probability amplitude to find the particle at time t at point r→ and the relations E=ℏω, p→=ℏk→ expressing particle energy and momentum in terms of the frequency and wave vector of the associated probability wave.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Encyclopedia
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 41–41
- Publication date
- 5 February 2026
- Language
- EN