Part 2 The Creation of Wave Mechanics; Early Response and Applications 1925-1926 / Edition 1

by Erwin Schrïdinger

Overview

Quantum Theory, together with the principles of special and general relativity, constitute a scientific revolution that has profoundly influenced the way in which we think about the universe and the fundamental forces that govern it. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is a definitive historical study of that scientific work and the human struggles that accompanied it from the beginning. Drawing upon such materials as the resources of the Archives for the History of Quantum Physics, the Niels Bohr Archives, and the archives and scientific correspondence of the principal quantum physicists, as well as Jagdish Mehra's personal discussions over many years with most of the architects of quantum theory, the authors have written a rigorous scientific history of quantum theory in a deeply human context. This multivolume work presents a rich account of an intellectual triumph: a unique analysis of the creative scientific process. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is science, history, and biography, all wrapped in the story of a great human enterprise. Its lessons will be an aid to those working in the sciences and humanities alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387951805
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	12/28/2000
Series:	The Historical Development of Quantum Theory , #2
Edition description:	1st ed. 1987. 1st softcover printing 2000
Pages:	614
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.24(d)

Table of Contents

3. The Creation of Wave Mechanics: Scientific Exchange with Plank and Einstein; First Steps Toward the Hydrogen Equation; The Nonrelativistic Hydrogen Equation; Sources of Undulatory Mechanics; Foundations of Undulatory Mechanics. 4. Early Response and Applications: The Scheme Starts to Work; Early Response to Wave Mechanics; Formal Equivalence of Wave Mechanics and Matrix Mechanics; Application and Extensions; Towards an Undulatory Interpretation of Atomic Phenomena.

Editorial Reviews

Comments by distinguished physicists on "The Historical Development of Quantum Theory": "the most definitive work undertaken by anyone on this vast and most important development in the history of physics. Jagdish Mehra, trained in theoretical physics under Pauli, Heisenberg, and Dirac, pursued the vision of his youth to write about the historical and conceptual development of quantum theory in the 20th century. This series of books on the HDQT has thus become the most authentic and permanent source of our knowledge of how quantum theory, its extensions and applications developed. My heartfelt congratulations." -Hans A. Bethe, Nobel Laureate "A thrilling and magnificent achievement!" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, FRS, Nobel Laureate "capture(s) precisely, accurately, and thoroughly the very essence and all the fundamental details of the theory, and that is a remarkable achievement. I have greatly enjoyed reading these books and learned so many new things from them. This series of books will remain a permanent source of knowledge about the creation and development of quantum theory. Congratulations!" -Paul A. Dirac, FRS, Nobel Laureate "The wealth and accuracy of detail in he Historical Development of Quantum Theory'are breathtaking." -Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate

From the Publisher