📄 Quantum

Why does quantum physics use complex numbers at all? Is it possible to come up with Quantum physics that only uses real numbers?

ARTICLE Published on February 19, 2026

By Klinging-on

Source: Reddit 1 min read intermediate

Summary

This is inspired by the recent [quanta article](https://www.quantamagazine.org/physicists-take-the-imaginary-numbers-out-of-quantum-mechanics-20251107/) on how Physicists took the i out of Schrodinger's equation. However, they replaced i with a structure isomorphic to the complex numbers, so did nothing change? I'm curious why Quantum physics even needs complex numbers at all. In the article, it said Schrodinger didn't like the i in his wave function and wanted to get rid of it. Why isn't this p

#r/askphysics #quantum #this #however #physicists
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