The development of elementary quantum theory

DOI10.1007/978-3-319-61884-5zbMATH Open1465.81004arXiv1606.00190OpenAlexW2409815812MaRDI QIDQ2400541FDOQ2400541

H. Capellmann

Publication date: 29 August 2017

Published in: SpringerBriefs in History of Science and Technology (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Planck's introduction of the quantum of action in 1900 was followed by 25 years of trial and error in quest of the understanding of the quantum world; different ideas and directions had to be pursued until the path leading to the elementary quantum theory was discovered. Radical changes away from traditional perceptions about natural phenomena were necessary, the entire system of basic concepts in classical physics had to be abandoned and replaced by a new mode of thought. Continuity and determinism of classical laws were no longer applicable on the quantum scale, where dynamical behaviour proceeds by discontinuous and statistical quantum transitions. Albert Einstein laid the essential foundations for the new concept; Max Born made the decisive step further leading to the breakthrough in 1925. The development of the ideas, which eventually resulted in the elementary quantum theory in 1925/26, will be described, relying on original publications and letters written during that period in time by the major contributors. The fundamental laws of Quantum Theory derived by Max Born and Pascual Jordan may mathematically be represented in many different ways, and particular emphasis is given to the distinction between physical content and mathematical representation.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1606.00190

Recommendations

• Constructing quantum mechanics. Volume 1. The scaffold: 1900--1923
• Quantum concepts in physics. An alternative approach to the understanding of quantum mechanics
• Quantum Mechanics
• The quantum theory -- origins and ideas. A historical primer for physics students
• Einstein and the quantum. The quest of the valiant Swabian

zbMATH Keywords

quantum mechanicscolloquial languagefew formulaementality of foundersmutual criticims

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Physics (00A79) History of mathematics in the 20th century (01A60) General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) History of quantum theory (81-03)

Cited In (12)

• On the verge of \textit{Umdeutung} in Minnesota: Van Vleck and the correspondence principle. I.
• Rejection of the light quantum: the dark side of Niels Bohr
• Space-time in quantum theory
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• The formation and logic of quantum mechanics. Transl. from the Japanese and with explanatory notes by Masayuki Nagasaki. I: The formation of atomic models
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• The formation and logic of quantum mechanics. Transl. from the Japanese and with explanatory notes by Masayuki Nagasaki. II: The way to quantum mechanics
• The formation and logic of quantum mechanics. Transl. from the Japanese and with explanatory notes by Masayuki Nagasaki. III: The establishment and logic of quantum mechanics

This page was built for publication: The development of elementary quantum theory

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q2400541)