The Schrödinger wave equation is called a "wave" equation because its mathematical form is similar to that of another "wave" equation in physics. The "other" wave equation is used to calculate the classical behavior of waves. However, the similarity between the two equations does not mean that the Schrödinger equation (or any other part of quantum mechanics) can be derived from classical physics. It cannot. The only real justification for the Schrödinger equation is that it makes accurate predictions about experimental phenomena.
(last updated 6/2/97)