Schrodinger

Erwin Schrodinger was an Austrian physicist who formulated the wave equation in quantum mechanics. Born in Vienna in 1887, he made significant contributions to quantum theory, particularly through his development of wave mechanics. Schrodinger's equation, published in 1926, describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time. This equation is fundamental to understanding the behavior of subatomic particles and molecules.

His most famous thought experiment, Schrodinger's cat, illustrates the paradoxical nature of quantum superposition. The experiment involves a hypothetical cat placed in a sealed box with a radioactive atom, a Geiger counter, a hammer, and a vial of poison. If the atom decays, the Geiger counter detects it, triggering the hammer to break the vial, releasing the poison and killing the cat. According to quantum mechanics, until the box is opened and observed, the atom is in a superposition of both decayed and undecayed states, implying the cat is simultaneously alive and dead.

Schrodinger received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933 for his work on wave mechanics. He also made contributions to other areas of physics, including statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. He died in Vienna in 1961. His legacy remains central to the field of quantum physics.