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Il Nuovo Cimento B

Derivation of the Schrödinger equation

Spyros Efthimiades

Published Feb 1, 2003• 2 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

The Schrodinger equation is derived by combining the wave function of a particle, expressed as a superposition of plane-wave states, with the energy relation written in the consistent with quantum mechanics form relating average energy values.

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Abstract The Schrödinger equation relates the emergent quantities of wavefunction and electric potential and is postulated as a principle of quantum physics or obtained heuristically. However, physical consistency requires that the Schrödinger equation is a low-energy dynamical condition we can derive from the foundations of quantum electrodynamics. Due to the small value of the electromagnetic coupling constant, we show that the electric potential accurately represents the contributions of intermediate low-energy photon exchanges. Then, from the total nonrelativistic energy relation, we see that the dominant term of the electron wavefunction is a superposition of plane waves that satisfies the Schrödinger equation. Our derivation shows that the Schrödinger equation is not an energy conservation relation because its middle term does not represent the electron kinetic energy as assumed. We analyze the physical content of the Schrödinger equation and verify our assessments by calculating and evaluating the physical quantities in the ground state of the hydrogen atom. Furthermore, we explain why nonrelativistic quantum dynamics differs from classical dynamics. Undergraduate students can follow the derivation because it involves fundamental physical concepts and mathematical expressions, and we explain every step.
As its name suggests, Schrodinger’s equation is the brain child of Schrodinger and was first disclosed in 1926 in a paper entitled An Undulatory Theory of the Mechanics of Atoms and Molecules . Schrodinger begins by considering the dynamics of a particle moving through a force field. The Schrodinger’s equation is arrived at in an alternative heuristic path modeled after Haken. The Schrodinger’s equation is a wave equation that incorporates classical particle concepts, and classical wave function concepts, in its derivation. In other words, a heuristic approach to Schrodinger’s equation utilizes Max Planck’s quantum energy, classical kinetic energy of a free particle, and the classical “wave functions of ordinary wave optics.” Schrodinger’s equation is capable of explaining all atomic phenomena except those involving magnetism and relativity.
n an earlier note (1), it was argued the time-independent Schrodinger equation may be written in a momentum form by using W(x)=Sum over p fp exp(ipx)= wavefunction and V(x)=Sum over p Vp exp(ipx). This lead to an equation for each plane wave of the form: p*p/2m fp + Sum over j+k=p Vj fk = E fp ((1)). In this note, we try to argue that ((1)) does not need to follow from the time-independent Schrodinger equation, but rather seems to be a consequence of fp, which is related to conditional probability P(p/x).
The Schrodinger equation has been considered to be a postulate of quantum physics, but it is also perceived and derived heuristically as the quantum equivalent of the classical energy relation. We indicate that the Schrodinger equation cannot be a physical postulate, and we show that the heuristic derivations wrongly consider that the particle kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the momentum operator acting on the wavefunction. The correct term is proportional to the square of the momentum. Analyzing particle interactions, we realize that particles have multiple virtual motions and that each motion is accompanied by a wave that has constant amplitude. Accordingly, we define the wavefunction as the superposition of the virtual waves of the particle. As a result, quantum mechanics becomes a local and global theory, while in the traditional formulation it is a local theory. In several interaction settings we can tell what particle motions arise and explain the outcomes in simple and tangible terms. Most importantly, the mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics becomes clear and justified, and we derive the Schrodinger, Dirac, etc. equations as the conditions the wavefunction must satisfy at each space-time point in order to fulfill the respective total energy equation.
Abstract A heuristic derivation of the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation is presented based on an energy interpretation of the wave function. The spatial derivative naturally produces a term proportional to the kinetic energy, while the temporal derivative yields a term proportional to the total energy. By relating both contributions through the classical relation for total mechanical energy, the Schrödinger equation is obtained. The proposed approach provides a simple and intuitive framework to introduce this equation in modern physics or introductory-level quantum mechanics courses.