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Physicist Erwin Schrödinger publishes his famous thought experiment "Schrödinger's cat", a paradox that illustrates the

Physicist Erwin Schrödinger publishes his famous thought experiment "Schrödinger's cat", a paradox that illustrates the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics

In quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment concerning quantum superposition. In the thought experiment, a hypothetical cat in a closed box may be considered to be simultaneously both alive and dead while it is unobserved, as a result of its fate being linked to a random subatomic event that may or may not occur. This experiment, viewed this way, is described as a paradox. This thought experiment was devised by physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 in a discussion with Albert Einstein to illustrate what Schrödinger saw as the problems of Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg's philosophical views on quantum mechanics.

In Schrödinger's original formulation, a cat, a flask of poison, and a radioactive source are placed in a sealed box.

Historical Significance

In quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment concerning quantum superposition.

Key People

Erwin Schrödinger

Austrian–Irish theoretical physicist

Austrian–Irish theoretical physicist

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Events Before

  1. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (US bank guarantor) comes into effect

    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (US bank guarantor) comes into effect

  2. American comedian and actor Lou Costello (27) weds American burlesque dancer Anne Battler (21)

    Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959), better known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer.

  3. FDR devalues the US dollar relative to gold to $35 per ounce

    FDR devalues the US dollar relative to gold to $35 per ounce

  4. British-American entertainer Bob Hope (30) weds American singer Dolores DeFina (24) in Erie, Pennsylvania, until his dea

    British-American entertainer Bob Hope (30) weds American singer Dolores DeFina (24) in Erie, Pennsylvania, until his death in 2003

  5. "It Happened One Night" directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert opens at NY's Radio City

    "It Happened One Night" directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert opens at NY's Radio City Music Hall (Academy Awards Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay 1935)

Events After

  1. Roger Miller is born

    Roger Miller, American musician, known for american country musician, was born on 1936-01-02. Roger Dean Miller Sr.

  2. Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade

    A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.

  3. Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage

    Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage

  4. Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president

    Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president

  5. First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johns

    First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson

More from the 1930s

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David McKee is born

David McKee, British writer and illustrator, known for british writer and illustrator, was born on 1935-01-02.

birth

Jim Bakker is born

Jim Bakker televangelist, known for american televangelist, was born on 1939-01-02. James Orsen Bakker is an American televangelist and convicted felon.

birth

Roger Miller is born

Roger Miller, American musician, known for american country musician, was born on 1936-01-02. Roger Dean Miller Sr.

Claus von Stauffenberg is promoted to Second Lieutenant

Claus Philipp Maria Justinian Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was a German army officer who is best known for his failed attempt on 20 July 1944 to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair, part of...

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 29, 1935?
In quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment concerning quantum superposition. In the thought experiment, a hypothetical cat in a closed box may be considered to be simultaneously both alive and dead while it is unobserved, as a result of its fate being linked to a random subatomic event that may or may not occur. This experiment, viewed this way, is described as a paradox.
Why is Physicist Erwin Schrödinger publishes his famous thought experiment "Schrödin... significant?
In quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment concerning quantum superposition.
Who was involved in Physicist Erwin Schrödinger publishes his famous thought experiment "Schrödin...?
Key figures include Erwin Schrödinger (Austrian–Irish theoretical physicist).

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November 29 in HistoryYear 1935