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Erwin Schrödinger

Erwin Schrödinger was an Austrian theoretical physicist best known for developing wave mechanics and the Schrödinger equation, a foundational equation in quantum mechanics.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Erwin Schrödinger was an Austrian theoretical physicist best known for developing wave mechanics and the Schrödinger equation, a foundational equation in quantum mechanics. He shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to atomic theory. Schrödinger is also widely associated with the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment and later wrote on questions connecting physics and biology.

Early life and education

Schrödinger was born in Vienna in 1887 and studied at the University of Vienna, where he later earned his doctorate. His early academic training led him into theoretical physics and research on the structure of matter.

Quantum mechanics

Schrödinger is best known for developing wave mechanics and formulating the Schrödinger equation in 1926. These works helped establish quantum mechanics as a major framework for understanding atomic and subatomic behaviour.

Nobel Prize and academic career

Schrödinger received the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to atomic theory. At the time of the award, he was affiliated with Berlin University.

Later work and legacy

Schrödinger became famous for the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment, which illustrated interpretive problems in quantum mechanics. His later writing, especially 'What Is Life?', helped stimulate interest in the physical basis of biology.

Key facts

  • Schrödinger was born in Vienna in 1887 and died there in 1961.
  • He developed wave mechanics, an important formulation of quantum mechanics.
  • The Schrödinger equation describes the evolution of a quantum system's wave function.
  • He shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics with Paul Dirac.
  • Schrödinger's cat became one of the best-known thought experiments in physics.
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Canadian context

Schrödinger's work is part of the core quantum mechanics curriculum taught in Canadian universities and used in Canadian research in physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Erwin Schrödinger?
He was an Austrian theoretical physicist best known for wave mechanics, the Schrödinger equation, and the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment.
What is the Schrödinger equation?
It is a fundamental equation in quantum mechanics that describes how a system's wave function changes over time.
Why did Schrödinger win the Nobel Prize?
He shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of new productive forms of atomic theory.
What is Schrödinger's cat?
It is a thought experiment used to illustrate the strange implications of quantum superposition and measurement at the macroscopic level.
Did Schrödinger write about biology?
Yes. His 1944 book 'What Is Life?' explored the physical basis of heredity and influenced later molecular biology research.

References

  1. Nobel Prize — https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1933/schrodinger/biographical/
    Supports: Birth, death, and biographical details.
  2. Nobel Prize — https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1933/schrodinger/facts/
    Supports: Nobel Prize year, affiliation, and prize motivation.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Erwin-Schrodinger
    Supports: Quantum contributions, Schrödinger equation, cat thought experiment, and overview biography.
  4. Royal Society — https://www.royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1961.0017
    Supports: Biographical details and early academic career.