The Dirac equation is a pivotal equation in quantum mechanics that describes the behavior of relativistic electrons or fermions. Proposed by physicist Paul Dirac in 1928, this equation unified quantum mechanics with special relativity, providing a framework to describe the behavior of particles moving at speeds approaching the speed of light. Unlike the Schrödinger equation, which describes non-relativistic particles, the Dirac equation accounts for particle spin and predicts the existence of antiparticles. It incorporates both the concept of wave functions from quantum mechanics and the mathematical formalism of special relativity, producing a wave equation that describes the behavior of fermions, like electrons, under relativistic conditions. The Dirac equation has been foundational in the development of quantum field theory, particle physics, and quantum electrodynamics, contributing significantly to our understanding of elementary particles and their interactions.
