Unravel the fabric of reality as these visionary physicists revolutionize our understanding of the subatomic realm. Planck's groundbreaking concept of quantized energy and Bohr's daring atomic model challenge classical notions, unveiling a universe of uncertainty and limitless potential. This captivating journey delves into the paradoxes and probabilities that define our existence, shaping modern science and philosophy. Join the quantum pioneers on a thrilling intellectual adventure that probes the very essence of existence and invites you to question the nature of reality itself. Explore quantum pioneers Planck and Bohr's revolution in subatomic understanding. Unveil a universe of uncertainty and limitless potential in the subatomic realm. Delve into paradoxes and probabilities that shape modern science and philosophy. Join an intellectual adventure questioning the very essence of existence. A captivating journey into the fabric of reality and the nature of existence.

The purpose of this book is to provide a deeper insight into the modern theories of molecular matter. It incorporates the most important developments which have taken place during the last decades and reflects the modern trend to abstraction. At the present state of the art we have acquired a fairly good knowledge of "how to. compute" small molecules us ing the methods of quantum chemistry. Yet, in spite of many statements to the contrary and many superficial discussions, the theoretical basis of chemistry and biology is not safely in our hands. It is all but impossible to summarize the modern developments of the theory of matter in nontechnical language. But I hope that I can give some feeling for the problems, the intellectual excitements and the wor ries of some theoreticians. I know very well that such an enterprise is a dangerous adventure and that one says that a clever scientist should take care of his reputation by barricading himself behind the safe wall of his speciality. This volume is not meant to be a textbook; in many respects it has complementary goals. For good and bad reasons, most textbooks ignore the historical and philosophical aspects and go ahead on the basis of crude simplifications; many even lie like the devil and do not shrink from naive indoctrination. Some sections of this book can be read as commentaries on our standard texts, they are intended to stir the waters with controversy.

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This is an exceptionally accessible, accurate, and non-technical introduction to quantum mechanics. After briefly summarizing the differences between classical and quantum behaviour, this engaging account considers the Stern-Gerlach experiment and its implications, treats the concepts of probability, and then discusses the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox and Bell's theorem. Quantal interference and the concept of amplitudes are introduced and the link revealed between probabilities and the interference of amplitudes. Quantal amplitude is employed to describe interference effects. Final chapters explore exciting new developments in quantum computation and cryptography, discover the unexpected behaviour of a quantal bouncing-ball, and tackle the challenge of describing a particle with no position. Thought-provoking problems and suggestions for further reading are included. Suitable for use as a course text, The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics enables students to develop a genuine understanding of the domain of the very small. It will also appeal to general readers seeking intellectual adventure.

This book traces the history of Arnold Sommerfeld’s famous “nursery of theoretical physics” at the University of Munich and demonstrates the centrality of developing personal and institutional networks for the emergence of quantum theory. Sommerfeld, originally a mathematician with little interest in theoretical physics, was a somewhat unlikely choice for a chair of theoretical physics when he was appointed in 1906. However, he quickly reoriented his research focus towards physics, forstering a keen interest in experimental research. Possibly even more important for the development of quantum theory in the coming years was his exceptional talent as a charismatic teacher and prolific networker, which turned Munich into a central node in the fast-growing network of quantum physicists in the 1920s. It is no coincidence that the two most talented “child prodigies” of 1920s quantum physics, Wolfgang Pauli and Werner Heisenberg, were his students, nor that by the end of the decade about a dozen of Sommerfeld’s former disciples held chairs in theoretical physics. The book is directed at historians of science and physics, as well as all those interested in the history of science diplomacy and networking. The book is part of a series of publications on the early network of quantum physics. These works emerged from an expansive study on the quantum revolution as a major transformation of physical knowledge undertaken by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science and the Fritz Haber Institute (2006–2012). For more on this project, see the dedicated Feature Story, The Networks of Early Quantum Theory, at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/feature-story/networks-early-quantum-theory

Foreword1. Two Papers2. The Bohr Era and Beyond3. The New Mechanics4. An Emergency Exit5. The Formal Basis6. Beautiful EquationsAfterwordNotes and CommentIndex.

"A thorough, illuminating exploration of the most consequential controversy raging in modern science." --New York Times Book Review An Editor's Choice, New York Times Book Review Longlisted for PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing Longlisted for Goodreads Choice Award Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity's finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr's solipsistic and poorly reasoned Copenhagen interpretation. Indeed, questioning it has long meant professional ruin, yet some daring physicists, such as John Bell, David Bohm, and Hugh Everett, persisted in seeking the true meaning of quantum mechanics. What Is Real? is the gripping story of this battle of ideas and the courageous scientists who dared to stand up for truth. "An excellent, accessible account." --Wall Street Journal "Splendid. . . . Deeply detailed research, accompanied by charming anecdotes about the scientists." --Washington Post

This book gives a more general discussion of quantum mechanical principles. It shows how quantum states can be represented by vectors in a vector space, with observable quantities represented by operators acting on the vectors. This formalism is used to provide a proof of the uncertainty principle and to derive quantum mechanical conservation laws. The properties of orbital and spin angular momentum are introduced and the extraordinary properties of systems of identical particles, including Bose-Einstein condensation, are explored. The book then discusses some fascinating topics in the interpretation of quantum mechanics, supported by the results of recent experiments. The process of measurement in quantum mechanics cannot be described by Schrödinger's equation and appears to involve chance in an unavoidable way. The book ends by discussing the concept of entanglement, and its applications to quantum encryption, quantum teleportation and quantum computing. The mathematical techniques used and developed in this book include vector spaces, Hermitian operators and matrix algebra.The DVD referred to in this book is not currently available.

Presents biographical profiles of ten individuals who made major contributions to the field, including Sir Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, Max Planck, Lise Meitner, Albert Einstein, and Richard Feynman.