Erwin Schrödinger
Who was Erwin Schrödinger?
Austrian physicist who developed wave mechanics and formulated the Schrödinger equation, winning the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to quantum theory.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Erwin Schrödinger (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Erwin Rudolf Josef Alexander Schrödinger (1887-1961) was an Austrian physicist whose work in quantum mechanics changed modern physics. Born in Vienna on August 12, 1887, he studied at the Akademisches Gymnasium, then at the University of Vienna, and later at the University of Oxford. Schrödinger is famous for the Schrödinger equation, which is key in quantum mechanics for describing how the state of a physical system changes over time. This equation helps calculate the wave function of a system and predict its changes.
In 1933, Schrödinger and Paul Dirac jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering new atomic theories. Schrödinger's wave mechanics offered another way to understand quantum mechanics, alongside the matrix mechanics by Werner Heisenberg, aiding in the study of atomic and subatomic elements. Beyond quantum theory, Schrödinger contributed to statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, general relativity, and cosmology. He also worked on unified field theories and wrote about the philosophical impacts of scientific findings.
In popular culture, Schrödinger is mainly known for his 1935 thought experiment "Schrödinger's cat," highlighting issues with the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. This scenario imagines a cat that's both alive and dead until observed. That same year, he introduced "quantum entanglement," a concept where particles remain linked so that a change in one affects the other, regardless of distance.
Schrödinger's personal life was often unstable, impacting his academic work. He lived openly with both his wife, Annemarie, and his mistress, causing issues during his time at Oxford and leading to his departure. After a stint in Graz, Austria, he fled the Nazis in 1938 and moved to Dublin, Ireland, staying at the Institute for Advanced Studies until he retired in 1955. He returned to Vienna in 1956 as an emeritus professor and passed away there on January 4, 1961, due to tuberculosis. Throughout his career, he received many awards, including the Matteucci Medal (1927) and the Max Planck Medal (1937), as well as various Austrian science honors.
Before Fame
Schrödinger grew up in Vienna during the late 19th century, a time when the Austrian Empire was going through rapid scientific and cultural growth. His father was a botanist, and his mother came from an academic family, which provided him with a stimulating environment from a young age. He excelled in mathematics and physics at the Akademisches Gymnasium before going on to study at the University of Vienna.
The early 20th century was a groundbreaking time in physics, with scientists struggling to understand new discoveries about atomic structure and radiation that classical physics couldn't explain. Max Planck's introduction of quantum theory in 1900 and Einstein's work on the photoelectric effect laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics. Schrödinger entered this field during its early years and initially worked on problems in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics before making his significant contributions to quantum theory in the 1920s.
Key Achievements
- Formulated the Schrödinger equation, fundamental to quantum mechanics and wave function calculations
- Shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics with Paul Dirac for contributions to atomic theory
- Coined the term 'quantum entanglement' and created the famous 'Schrödinger's cat' thought experiment
- Developed wave mechanics as an alternative formulation to matrix mechanics
- Authored 'What Is Life?' which bridged physics and biology, influencing molecular biology development
Did You Know?
- 01.He wrote the book 'What Is Life?' which significantly influenced the development of molecular biology and inspired scientists like Francis Crick to enter the field
- 02.Schrödinger was fluent in multiple languages and wrote poetry, with some of his verses exploring scientific and philosophical themes
- 03.He spent 17 years in Dublin at the Institute for Advanced Studies, where he continued his attempts to develop a unified field theory
- 04.In 2005, he posthumously received the Prix Paul Doistau-Émile Blutet de l'Information Scientifique, demonstrating the continued relevance of his work
- 05.He tied for eighth place in a Physics World poll ranking the greatest physicists of all time
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Physics | 1933 | for the discovery of new productive forms of atomic theory |
| Matteucci Medal | 1927 | — |
| Max Planck Medal | 1937 | — |
| Erwin Schrödinger Prize | 1956 | — |
| Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order | — | — |
| Haitinger Prize | 1920 | — |
| Prix Paul Doistau-Émile Blutet de l’Information Scientifique | 2005 | — |
| Fellow of the American Physical Society | — | — |
| Austrian Decoration for Science and Art | 1957 | — |
| Prize of the City of Vienna for Natural Sciences | 1956 | — |
| Foreign Member of the Royal Society | 1949 | — |
| Pour le Mérite | — | — |
Nobel Prizes
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