The Tiger and the Shark: Empirical Roots of Wave-Particle Dualism

Author: Wheaton, Bruce R.

Brand: Cambridge University Press

Edition: Reprint

Binding: paperback

Format: Import

Number Of Pages: 380

Release Date: 26-07-1991

Part Number: 40 b/w illus.

Details: Product Description
The early twentieth century brought about the rejection by physicists of the doctrine of determinism - the belief that complete knowledge of the initial conditions of an interaction in nature allows precise and unambiguous prediction of the outcome. This book traces the origins of a central problem leading to this change in viewpoint and paradoxes raised by attempts to formulate a consistent theory of the nature of light. It outlines the different approaches adopted by members of different national cultures to the apparent inconsistencies, explains why Einstein's early (1905) attempt at a resolution was not taken seriously for fifteen years, and describes the mixture of ideas that created a route to a new, antideterministic formulation of the laws of nature. Dr Wheaton describes the experimental work on the new forms of radiation found at the turn of the century and shows how the interpretation of energy transfer from X-rays to matter gradually transformed a classical wave explanation of light to one based on particle like quanta of energy, and further, he explains how influential scientists came reluctantly to accept a wavelike interpretation of matter as well. This new and distinctively different account of one of the major theoretical shifts in modern physical thought will be of fundamental interest to physical scientists and philosophers, as well as to historians of science.
Review
"...attention to this early work is clearly of contemporary, and not just historical or pedagogic, interest. The author is to be warmly commended for performing this task in such a clear and useful fashion." Physics Today "...the symmetry and novelty of Wheaton's narrative are beautiful...the metaphysical problem addressed...is so profound that careful readers will be well rewarded." American Historical Review "...will be a delight to historians and philosophers of science. Meticulously researched, it exposes the reader to hitherto obscure manuscripts relating the story of experimental research in the x-ray and ^D*g-ray regions of the spectrum from the end of the last through the first quarter of this century...This fine book will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the history of this golden age of physics..." Edward L. O'Neill, Optics & Photonics News
Book Description
The early 20th century brought about the rejection by physicists of the doctrine of determinism - the belief that complete knowledge of the initial conditions of an interaction in nature allows precise and unambiguous prediction of the outcome. This book traces the origins of a central problem leading to this change in viewpoint.
From the Back Cover
This study grew out of concerns first raised while I was a student of physics. This inadequacy of most textbook discussions of historical and epistemological issues led me back to original papers and then to the literature on history of science.

EAN: 9780521358927

Package Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.0 x 1.3 inches

Languages: English