Eight Lectures on Theoretical Physics (Dover Books on Physics)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Dover

• Author: Max Planck

• Language: English

• Edition: 1

• ISBN: 9780486697307

• Pages: 160

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches

About The Book:

In this influential work, the great German physicist and Nobel Prize winner Max Planck (1858–1947) takes readers on a captivating journey through the groundbreaking developments in physics during the early 20th century. Delivered as a series of eight lectures at Columbia University in 1909, Planck provides a comprehensive overview of the revolutionary advances in science, including his pioneering work with the quantum hypothesis and blackbody radiation. These lectures offer an exceptional opportunity to witness Planck’s thought processes on both philosophical and scientific levels.

Throughout the lectures, Planck discusses the profound impact of quantum theory on physics, the application of statistical mechanics to chemical physics, and the principles behind the theory of special relativity—of which he was an early proponent. The book also reflects Planck’s evolving ideas and re-evaluation of his original contributions to quantum theory, making it a vital resource for students of modern physics and those interested in the philosophy and history of science.

A new introduction by Peter Pesic provides valuable historical context, positioning Planck’s lectures alongside the works of his contemporaries. This accessible edition is an essential read for anyone keen to understand the development of quantum mechanics and the transformative ideas that shaped modern physics.