In quantum mechanics, the Schrdinger equation is a mathematical equation that des

cribes the changes over time of a physical system in which quantum effects, such
as wave particle duality, are significant. The equation is a mathematical formula
tion for studying quantum mechanical systems. It is considered a central result
in the study of quantum system and its derivation was a significant landmark in
developing the theory of quantum mechanics. It was named after Erwin Schrdinger,
who derived the equation in 1925 and published it in 1926, forming the basis for
his work that resulted in Schrdinger being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in
1933.[1][2] The equation is a type of differential equation known as a wave-equ
ation, which serves as a mathematical model of the movement of waves.
In classical mechanics, Newton's second law (F = ma) is used to make a mathemati
cal prediction as to what path a given system will take following a set of known
initial conditions. In quantum mechanics, the analogue of Newton's law is Schrdi
nger's equation for a quantum system (usually atoms, molecules, and subatomic pa
rticles whether free, bound, or localised). It is not a simple algebraic equatio
n, but in general a linear partial differential equation, describing the time-ev
olution of the system's wave function (also called a "state function").[3]:1 2
The concept of a wavefunction is a fundamental postulate of quantum mechanics. U
sing these postulates, Schrdinger's equation can be derived from the fact that th
e time-evolution operator must be unitary and must therefore be generated by the
exponential of a self-adjoint operator, which is the quantum Hamiltonian. This
derivation is explained below.
In the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, the wave function is the
most complete description that can be given of a physical system. Solutions to S
chrdinger's equation describe not only molecular, atomic, and subatomic systems,
but also macroscopic systems, possibly even the whole universe.[4]:292ff Schrding
er's equation is central to all applications of quantum mechanics including quan
tum field theory which combines special relativity with quantum mechanics. Theor
ies of quantum gravity, such as string theory, also do not modify Schrdinger's eq
uation.
The Schrdinger equation is not the only way to study quantum mechanical systems a
nd make predictions, as there are other quantum mechanical formulations such as
matrix mechanics, introduced by Werner Heisenberg, and path integral formulation
, developed chiefly by Richard Feynman. Paul Dirac incorporated matrix mechanics
and the Schrdinger equation into a single formulation.