Erwin Schrödinger's Valuable Contributions

Stemming from the first years of the 20th century, quantum mechanics has had a monumental influence on modern science. First explored by Max Planck in the 1900s, Einstein modified and applied much of the research in this field. This begs the question, “how did Einstein contribute to the development and research of quantum mechanics?” Before studying how Einstein’s research contributed to the development of quantum mechanics, it is important to examine the origins of the science itself. Einstein took much of Planck’s experimental “quantum theory” research and applied it in usable ways to existing science. He also greatly contributed to the establishment of the base for quantum mechanics research today. Along with establishing base research in the field, Einstein’s discoveries have been modified and updated to apply to our more advanced understanding of this science today. Einstein greatly contributed to the foundation of quantum mechanics through his research, and his theories and discoveries remain relevant to science even today.

There has been great speculation of the intentions of Werner Heisenberg’s trip to Copenhagen in order to see his former physics mentor, Niels Bohr. There were no concise recordings or depictions about their secret meeting because they took a stroll through the woods to avoid any Gestapo surveillance and microphones throughout the house. However, their walk ended shortly when Heisenberg brought up a moral topic of scientists tampering with the exploitation of atomic energy. It has been difficult for historians to establish the motivations of Werner Heisenberg’s visit to Niels Bohr in 1941 because there were no concrete recordings of the discussion and the two scientists remained tight-lipped about what they discussed in fear of what consequences that may follow them. Heisenberg’s motivations were mysterious to Bohr at first because Bohr believed that Heisenberg was trying to extract allied information about an atomic b...

In three years Oppenheimer graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor's degree in physics. This was in 1925, only 21 years after the great physicists birth in New York City. Less than one year later, he published his first paper with the title On the Quantum Theory of Vibration-Rotation Bands. This was a study of frequencies and intensities of molecular band spectra derived from the new mechanics, discovered by Paul Adrian Maurice Dirac, Erwin Schrodinger, and Werner Karl Heisenberg only one year earlier. Indeed, Oppenheimer was quick to pick up new ideas in theoretical physics.

Oppenheimer was an exceedingly intelligent person, even as a child, and his intelligence enabled him to develop and nurture a wave of He collected mineralogical specimens at the age of five years old. After six years, his collection was so impressive, he was admitted membership in the prestigious Mineralogical Club in New York, one of the oldest mineral clubs in the United States. Thus, he was admitted to Harvard in 1922, intending to become a chemist. However, he switched to physics, a subject he had become interested in. He graduated in a short three years, and received his Ph.D. in an astonishingly rapid two years. In the early 1930's, Oppenheimer created the School of Theoretical Physics at Berkeley. This school was soon to become one of the most prestigious theoretical physics schools in the world. The majority of the best American theoretical physicists who grew up in those years were trained by Oppenheimer at one state of their lives. Many were his graduate students, others came to him as Post-doctor...

Do we live in a world with a reality that is independent of the observer, which can be assessed objectively and compared to an observer’s perceptions? Or do we live in a world that has a reality dependent on the consciousness of the observer? The two most successful scientific theories do not agree on the role of the observer in reality. The Theory of Relativity implies that there is an observer-independent reality whereas The Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics implies an observer-dependent reality. In this paper, I will critically examine the views of both and evaluate what our observation can tell us about the world.

The 20th century saw many important discoveries which impacted people worldwide. Great discoveries were made in the realm of science and technology which lead to the atomic age. One of the leading pioneers in the area of physics was Enrico Fermi. Without his contributions, the atomic bomb may not have been developed or would have possibly been postponed.

Schrödinger's Cat: An Episode of Paralleled Realities The idea of parallel realities has existed within the literary circle of science fiction for many years. One of the key concepts behind alternate dimensions is that with every action and decision - whether it is consciously made or not - another alternate dimension has the opposite action or decision made, and that there are subsequent realities created in which every other option exists uniquely. Ursula LeGuin's short story "Schrödinger's Cat" is a direct manifestation of the idea of paralleled realities in that the story deals with an experiment that spawns countless paralleled realities. Merely one of the skewed realities is overseen during the course of the narration. The Schrödinger "Gedankenexperiment" ("thinking experiment" in German) is a hypothetical situation in which a cat is placed in a sealed box with a gun and a photon emitter that has a fifty percent chance of firing the gun and killing the cat, and a fifty percent chance of not firing the gun and not killing the cat(2230).

Gell-Mann, M. (1989). Dick Feynman--the guy in the office down the hall. Physics Today: 42(2),50-54.

...at this book should be included with all works that hold a high literary merit. This book appeals to a wide scope of people; it relates the complicated aspects of physics in a manner that can be understood by much of the general public. More than that, this novel gives the reader a glimpse into Feynman himself. The reader can now see how he thinks and functions, additionally, it allows the reader to preview what it may have been like to be in one of Feynman’s classes. This man is considered a modern day genius, and just the chance to further see what he is actually like, is something that allows for this book to be valued more highly.

"Paul David Buell." Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. Max Planck Institute, n.d. Web.