6.1  Erwin Takes a Hand

• Piecing together the Schrödinger Equation. Solving this equation allows you to discover the wave function that, in turn, determines the properties of a particle.

Now that we know, in general terms, how it’s possible to understand a particle in terms of a spatially localised wave packet, it’s time to turn to our primary task: to work out how to deduce a mathematical function that will describe the detail of such a wave.

Uncle Albert approaches: “Allow me to introduce my young colleague, Erwin Schrödinger. He is, almost certainly, the most successful philanderer in the history of physics and – coincidentally – he can help you with this”. Erwin smiles winningly at Nefertiti, “Come and make yourself comfortable, my dear, and I will show you something remarkable.” Cormorant trails along behind.

In 1926, Erwin was issued with a challenge; a physicists’ equivalent of “If you’re so hard, come over here and say that.”  Uncle Albert  had told Erwin about Prince Louis’ ideas and Erwin thought they were cool and passed them on to colleagues at his university. However the top man there, Peter Debye, thought de Broglie’s model “childish” and issued the challenge: “If you want me to take it seriously, write down a proper wave equation.” Erwin sensed an opportunity to combine some ground-breaking science with some quality philandering and headed off to the mountains with Prince Louis’ thesis, a young woman who was not his wife and – it is said – a pair of pearls to insert into his ears so that he could work without any noise distraction (Cormorant supposes his companion tried not to take it personally). He emerged a fortnight later with his famous equation – and a solution for the hydrogen atom.