TOWARDS A MEANINGFUL INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION THROUGH HISTORICAL AND HEURISTIC APPROACHES
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Georgios TSAPARLIS*
University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Greece
Abstract
The Schrödinger equation is the foundation of quantum mechanics and the starting point for any improvement to the description of submicroscopic physical and chemical systems. Although it cannot be proved or derived strictly, it has associated with it various formulations and ‘derivations’. In this work, we study the physical and mathematical evidence that make the Schrödinger equation plausible. First, we make an approach from the historical perspective, and study the methods of the pioneers Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and Dirac. Turning to modern treatments, we review numerous heuristic introductions to quantum mechanics and make a synthesis of the various methods into a coherent and meaningful whole. [Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. Eur.: 2001, 2, 203-213]