Simply Schrödinger E-Book

John Gribbin

• Herausgeber: Simply Charly
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Serie: Great Lives
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 198

Beschreibung

Born in Vienna, Austria, Erwin Schrödinger (1887-1961) was the only child of a Catholic father and an Austrian-English Lutheran mother. He attended the University of Vienna, receiving his doctorate in 1910. For the next 45 years, he held positions at many different universities in Europe, the U.K., and the U.S., a result both of his antipathy to Nazism, as well as his unconventional lifestyle, which often involved living with multiple women at a time. After appointments at Oxford, Princeton, and the University of Graz in Austria, Schrödinger was invited in 1938 to help set up the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, where, from 1940 until his retirement in 1955, he served as the director of the School for Theoretical Physics. In addition to his groundbreaking work in physics—for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1933—Schrödinger had a lifelong interest in philosophy and Eastern religion, and his lectures and writings included discussions of such topics as consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality.

In Simply Schrödinger, acclaimed science writer John Gribbin takes the measure of this singular scientist, who stands with Einstein, Heisenberg, and Dirac as one of the creators of a new scientific reality. While the focus is primarily on Schrödinger’s particular contributions to quantum physics—including wave mechanics and wave-particle duality, as well as the famous feline—Gribbin also delves into Schrödinger’s fascination with Eastern philosophy and the other distinctive traits that differentiated him from his peers and made him who he was.

Written in a personable and accessible style that minimizes jargon and doesn’t require a degree in physics, Simply Schrödinger is a fascinating introduction to one of the giants of the 20th century, who blazed his own trail in science and in life.

Leseprobe

Simply Schrödinger

John Gribbin

Simply Charly

New York

Copyright © 2021 by John Gribbin & Mary Gribbin

Cover Illustration by José RamosCover Design by Scarlett Rugers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.

[email protected]

ISBN: 978-1-943657-83-4

Brought to you by http://simplycharly.com

Contents

Praise for Simply SchrödingerOther Great LivesSeries Editor's ForewordPreface1. Winds of Change2. Professor Schrödinger3. A Quantum Revolution4. Golden Years5. The Legend of Schrödinger’s Cat6. Two Narrow Escapes7. Life in Ireland8. Science in Ireland9. The Last Waltz10. Schrödinger's LegacyEndnotesSuggested ReadingAbout the AuthorA Word from the Publisher

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Praise for Simply Schrödinger

“A delightful and illuminating biography of one of the 20th century’s greatest scientists. His influence on physics and, at least indirectly, on biology was monumental and his unconventional private life was a continual challenge. There is never a dull moment in this fascinating book.”

—Gino Segrè, co-author with Bettina Hoerlin of The Pope of Physics: Enrico Fermi and the Birth of the Atomic Age

“This little book is a gem with three facets: Physics, Philosophy, and Eros. The meaning of Schrödinger’s equation has frustrated professionals and flummoxed the public for almost a century, with no real clarity in sight. As an experienced and trustworthy guide, Gribbin leads us through the thicket with a minimum of fuss. But unlike most other popularizers, he does not shirk from exposing the crucial, and to my mind, seriously neglected, role of philosophy in the development of quantum mechanics. And on top of that, he entangles (Schrödinger’s own word!) physics and philosophy with Schrödinger’s unconventional love-life, lifting it up from the level of puerile asides splattered through other historical accounts. Even a cursory appreciation of Schrödinger’s genius, as well as his human flaws, requires a mature and open-eyed look at the man and his work. Gribbin has nailed it! ”

—Hans Christian von Baeyer, Chancellor Professor of Physics, Emeritus, at the College of William and Mary

“This splendid little biography of Erwin Schrödinger is a sparkling jewel of science writing: crystal clear and concise, accurate and objective, entertaining and informative. If quantum queries tend to make you queasy, this is the book for you. There’s much more to Schrödinger than his eponymous cat. Gribbins’ non-technical guide to Schrödinger’s complex world-line vividly exposes the entanglement of his love life with his search for truth in science.”

—Simon Mitton, co-author with Jacqueline Mitton of Vera Rubin: A Life

“Quantum physics has mystified many, both lay readers and experienced physicists. John Gribbin has taken it upon himself to explain quantum physics to the lay reader by telling the story of Erwin Schrödinger, one of the scientists who spent his life trying to make sense of a theory, which is truly mind-bending in every aspect. Erwin Schrödinger was no ordinary physicist. His life is equally adventurous as the theory he explored. John Gribbin tells the story of a man for whom convention and rules mean very little. While telling us about Erwin Schrödinger, John Gribbin explains the wonders of quantum physics both clearly and concisely, mak​ing​ use of excellent explanations that can be understood without requiring the complicated mathematical framework of quantum physics. This book is a masterpiece allowing the reader to learn about quantum physics by following a man who really wanted to know what’s behind the theory and, in fact, i​s​ responsible for a significant portion of it. Besides explaining the theory, we learn how this theory was created and hear how Schrödinger interacted with other scientists, such as Einstein and Bohr, attempting to make meaning of it all. Gribbin takes us on a fascinating journey encompassing parallel universes and the intricate details of polyamorous relationships in the context of living in a war-torn Europe. A highly captivating book reminding us that we have only just scratched the surface in understanding the very fabric of reality.”

—Winfried Hensinger, Professor of Quantum Technologies Ion Quantum Technology Group Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex

“A fascinating and engaging look at Erwin Schrödinger, covering both his Nobel-Prize-winning work and his unusual love life. As a physicist, Schrödinger was central to the development of quantum mechanics, yet who later wanted to take it all back. John Gribbin beautifully demonstrates that this scientist’s contributions went far beyond the concept of his infamous cat: he both wrote a book that sparked the founding of molecular biology and introduced the idea of parallel universes. This small gem of a book covers a sizable slice of 20th-century science.”

—Marcia Bartusiak​, author of The Day We Found the Universe and Black Hole

“This skillfully wrought biography portrays an unconventional, brilliant man, whose passionate love affairs often triggered bursts of creativity, against the backdrop of Europe at a time of great change and social unrest. Gribbin both entertains and explains, nicely blending Erwin Schrödinger’s colorful life with the zeitgeist of the most fertile years in the history of science. Schrödinger’s cat makes an appearance, of course, but does not steal the show. Gribbin expertly navigates through the complexities of quantum mechanics, describing the intellectual challenges faced by Schrödinger and his colleagues in the early days of quantum theory. Quantum weirdness aside, Gribbin also shows a Schrödinger who tried to understand the world as a whole, and whose deep thoughts on determinism, the multiverse, unified consciousness, and life shaped by genetic codes influenced others and led to a number of groundbreaking insights. The is a great read and will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the lives of those who changed the way we look at the world.”

—Artur Ekert, ​Professor of quantum physics at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford

“John Gribbin is one of our most lucid science writers, and we are lucky that he has turned his talents to a short and accessible account of Erwin Schrödinger’s life and his physics. Schrödinger emerges as a deep thinker whose eponymous equation instantly placed him in the pantheon of the greats of physics, and whose life and thought beyond physics makes him one of the most interesting of the giants of 20th-century science. For those who know about Schrödinger, this is a thoroughly enjoyable reminder of why he is so important, and for those who don’t this is a most excellent introduction, accessible to the lay reader as well as the specialist.”

—David N. Schwartz, The Last Man Who Knew Everything: The Life and Times of Enrico Fermi, Father of the Nuclear Age

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Other Great Lives

Simply Austen by Joan Klingel RaySimply Beckett by Katherine WeissSimply Beethoven by Leon PlantingaSimply Chekhov by Carol ApollonioSimply Chomsky by Raphael SalkieSimply Chopin by William SmialekSimply Darwin by Michael RuseSimply Descartes by Kurt SmithSimply Dickens by Paul SchlickeSimply Dirac by Helge KraghSimply Einstein by Jimena CanalesSimply Eliot by Joseph MaddreySimply Euler by Robert E. BradleySimply Faulkner by Philip WeinsteinSimply Fitzgerald by Kim MorelandSimply Freud by Stephen FroshSimply Gödel by Richard TieszenSimply Hegel by Robert L. WicksSimply Hitchcock by David SterrittSimply Joyce by Margot NorrisSimply Machiavelli by Robert FredonaSimply Napoleon by J. David Markham & Matthew ZarzecznySimply Nietzsche by Peter KailSimply Proust by Jack JordanSimply Riemann by Jeremy GraySimply Sartre by David DetmerSimply Tolstoy by Donna Tussing OrwinSimply Stravinsky by Pieter van den ToornSimply Turing by Michael OlinickSimply Wagner by Thomas S. GreySimply Wittgenstein by James C. Klagge

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Series Editor's Foreword

Simply Charly’s “Great Lives” series offers brief but authoritative introductions to the world’s most influential people—scientists, artists, writers, economists, and other historical figures whose contributions have had a meaningful and enduring impact on our society.

Each book provides an illuminating look at the works, ideas, personal lives, and the legacies these individuals left behind, also shedding light on the thought processes, specific events, and experiences that led these remarkable people to their groundbreaking discoveries or other achievements. Additionally, every volume explores various challenges they had to face and overcome to make history in their respective fields, as well as the little-known character traits, quirks, strengths, and frailties, myths, and controversies that sometimes surrounded these personalities.

Our authors are prominent scholars and other top experts who have dedicated their careers to exploring each facet of their subjects’ work and personal lives.

Unlike many other works that are merely descriptions of the major milestones in a person’s life, the “Great Lives” series goes above and beyond the standard format and content. It brings substance, depth, and clarity to the sometimes-complex lives and works of history’s most powerful and influential people.

We hope that by exploring this series, readers will not only gain new knowledge and understanding of what drove these geniuses, but also find inspiration for their own lives. Isn’t this what a great book is supposed to do?

Charles Carlini, Simply Charly New York City

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Preface

Schrödinger’s Cat1 has become a cliché of our times. Just as the term “black hole” signifies a bottomless pit, so Schrödinger’s Cat has become a metaphor for any situation in which there is a choice of outcomes resting upon an as yet unmade decision. Popular mythology has it that the cat is both dead and alive at the same time, and people know vaguely that it has something to do with quantum physics. But few of those who use the expression know exactly what its connection with quantum physics is; even fewer know who Erwin Schrödinger was. Hardly any are aware that he introduced the cat-in-the-box image to highlight a flaw in the quantum theory which he had helped develop, but about which he later said “I don’t like it and I wish I’d had nothing to do with it.”  

The aim of this book is partly to fill in all of those gaps. But there is much more to Schrödinger than the story of his mythical cat. He had a serious interest in philosophy and its relevance to our understanding of what is meant by a physical “law,” he wrote a book that profoundly influenced the development of molecular biology, and he came up with the first scientific version of the idea of “many worlds” (parallel universes). Although ignored at the time and still largely unknown today, this theory provides one of the best explanations (physicists call them “interpretations”) of what quantum physics is all about, and solves the puzzle of his eponymous cat.

Although this is primarily a scientific biography, Schrödinger’s personal life deserves more than a passing mention. In many respects, he seems to have been a victim of the (probably apocryphal) Chinese curse, “may you live in interesting times,” which in his lifetime included two narrow escapes from the Nazi persecution, while his private life had a direct impact on his scientific career—for instance, he became a persona non grata at the University of Oxford after turning up there as a refugee from Austria accompanied not only by his wife but also his mistress. His tangled sex life also produced a repercussion that is relevant to the story of quantum physics today, and which I discuss in Chapter 7.

With one exception, I have not been tempted to separate these two threads—the science and the personal life—which twine together like the two strands of a DNA molecule, as the story of the invention of what was then called wave mechanics (Chapter 3) emphasizes. The exception is the repercussion discussed in Chapter 7, involving the grandson Schrödinger never knew.

One of the striking features of Schrödinger’s career is that he was in his late 30s when he made his significant contribution to quantum physics, and he produced his last great insight a quarter of a century after that. Most brilliant physicists—including Werner Heisenberg and Paul Dirac, who made their mark on quantum physics at the same time as Schrödinger—did their best work in their 20s. But unlike Heisenberg and Dirac, Schrödinger had an extensive background in pre-quantum ideas. Probably, for this reason, his version of quantum physics is far easier to understand than theirs and almost makes sense. You shouldn’t need anything other than the most basic understanding of things like waves and the rules of probability that govern a roll of the dice to get the maximum out of this book. But the sting lies in the qualification that it “almost” makes sense. It is the bit that makes little sense that encouraged Schrödinger to come up with his famous cat puzzle, and led Richard Feynman to remark that “nobody understands quantum mechanics.” Bear that in mind, as my story of Schrödinger’s life in science begins where it should—in the beginning.

John Gribbin Brighton, England