Egil Hylleraas

Norwegian physicist

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June 29, 2026

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Egil Hylleraas was a Norwegian physicist known for his work on applying the Schrödinger equation to atomic structure. In 1929, he used this equation to approximate a solution for the helium atom, which contains two electrons. While his solution was not exact, it provided a highly accurate calculation of the atom's energy. Hylleraas's work demonstrated the power of the Schrödinger equation as a mathematical tool for understanding atomic behavior, even when precise solutions are not achievable. His contributions advanced the field of quantum mechanics and its application to understanding the fundamental nature of atoms.1

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atom
Schrödinger’s wave equation
In 1929 Norwegian physicist Egil Hylleraas applied the Schrödinger equation to the helium atom with its two electrons. He obtained only an approximate solution, but his energy calculation was quite accurate. With Hylleraas’s explanation of the two-electron atom, physicists realized that the Schrödinger equation could be a powerful mathematical…
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In 1929 Norwegian physicist Egil Hylleraas applied the Schrödinger equation to the helium atom with its two electrons. He obtained only an approximate solution, but his energy calculation was quite accurate. With Hylleraas’s explanation of the two-electron atom, physicists realized that the Schrödinger equation could be a powerful mathematical…
Read More