Einstein and the Quantum - The Quest of the Valiant Swabian

__Einstein and the Quantum__ reveals for the first time the full significance of Albert Einstein's contributions to quantum theory. Einstein famously rejected quantum mechanics, observing that God does not play dice. But, in fact, he thought more about the nature of atoms, molecules, and the emission and absorption of light--the core of what we now know as quantum theory--than he did about relativity. A compelling blend of physics, biography, and the history of science, __Einstein and the Quantum__ shares the untold story of how Einstein--not Max Planck or Niels Bohr--was the driving force behind early quantum theory. It paints a vivid portrait of the iconic physicist as he grappled with the apparently contradictory nature of the atomic world, in which its invisible constituents defy the categories of classical physics, behaving simultaneously as both particle and wave. And it demonstrates how Einstein's later work on the emission and absorption of light, and on atomic gases, led directly to Erwin Schrödinger's breakthrough to the modern form of quantum mechanics. The book sheds light on why Einstein ultimately renounced his own brilliant work on quantum theory, due to his deep belief in science as something objective and eternal. A book unlike any other, __Einstein and the Quantum__ offers a completely new perspective on the scientific achievements of the greatest intellect of the twentieth century, showing how Einstein's contributions to the development of quantum theory are more significant, perhaps, than even his legendary work on relativity. Einstein And The Quantum Reveals For The First Time The Full Significance Of Albert Einstein's Contributions To Quantum Theory. Einstein Famously Rejected Quantum Mechanics, Observing That God Does Not Play Dice. But, In Fact, He Thought More About The Nature Of Atoms, Molecules, And The Emission And Absorption Of Light--the Core Of What We Now Know As Quantum Theory--than He Did About Relativity. A Compelling Blend Of Physics, Biography, And The History Of Science, Einstein And The Quantum Shares The Untold Story Of How Einstein--not Max Planck Or Niels Bohr--was The Driving Force Behind Early Quantum Theory. It Paints A Vivid Portrait Of The Iconic Physicist As He Grappled With The Apparently Contradictory Nature Of The Atomic World, In Which Its Invisible Constituents Defy The Categories Of Classical Physics, Behaving Simultaneously As Both Particle And Wave. And It Demonstrates How Einstein's Later Work On The Emission And Absorption Of Light, And On Atomic Gases, Led Directly To Erwin Schrödinger's Breakthrough To The Modern Form Of Quantum Mechanics. The Book Sheds Light On Why Einstein Ultimately Renounced His Own Brilliant Work On Quantum Theory, Due To His Deep Belief In Science As Something Objective And Eternal.a Book Unlike Any Other, Einstein And The Quantum Offers A Completely New Perspective On The Scientific Achievements Of The Greatest Intellect Of The Twentieth Century, Showing How Einstein's Contributions To The Development Of Quantum Theory Are More Significant, Perhaps, Than Even His Legendary Work On Relativity-- A Hundred Times More Than Relativity Theory -- An Act Of Desperation -- The Impudent Swabian -- The Gypsy Life -- Two Pillars Of Wisdom -- The Perfect Instruments Of The Creator -- More Heat Than Light -- Difficult Counting -- Those Fabulous Molecules -- Tripping The Light Heuristic -- Entertaining The Contradiction -- Stalking The Planck -- Calamity Jeans -- Frozen Vibrations -- Planck's Nobel Nightmare -- Joining The Union -- Creative Fusion -- The Importance Of Being Nernst -- Lamenting The Ruins -- A Cosmic Interlude -- Bohr's Atomic Sonata -- Relying On Chance -- Chaotic Ghosts -- Fifteen Million Minutes Of Fame -- The Indian Comet -- Quantum Dice -- The Royal Marriage : E=mc2=hv -- The Viennese Polymath -- Confusion And Then Uncertainty -- Nicht Diese Töne -- Appendix 1. The Physicists -- Appendix 2. The Three Thermal Radiation Laws. A. Douglas Stone. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 295-324) And Index. The untold story of Albert Einstein's role as the father of quantum theory Einstein and the Quantum reveals for the first time the full significance of Albert Einstein's contributions to quantum theory. Einstein famously rejected quantum mechanics, observing that God does not play dice. But, in fact, he thought more about the nature of atoms, molecules, and the emission and absorption of lightthe core of what we now know as quantum theorythan he did about relativity. A compelling blend of physics, biography, and the history of science, Einstein and the Quantum shares the untold story of how Einsteinnot Max Planck or Niels Bohrwas the driving force behind early quantum theory. It paints a vivid portrait of the iconic physicist as he grappled with the apparently contradictory nature of the atomic world, in which its invisible constituents defy the categories of classical physics, behaving simultaneously as both particle and wave. And it demonstrates how Einstein's later work on the emission and absorption of light, and on atomic gases, led directly to Erwin Schrdinger's breakthrough to the modern form of quantum mechanics. The book sheds light on why Einstein ultimately renounced his own brilliant work on quantum theory, due to his deep belief in science as something objective and eternal. A book unlike any other, Einstein and the Quantum offers a completely new perspective on the scientific achievements of the greatest intellect of the twentieth century, showing how Einstein's contributions to the development of quantum theory are more significant, perhaps, than even his legendary work on relativity. "Einstein and the Quantum reveals for the first time the full significance of Albert Einstein's contributions to quantum theory. Einstein famously rejected quantum mechanics, observing that God does not play dice. But, in fact, he thought more about the nature of atoms, molecules, and the emission and absorption of light--the core of what we now know as quantum theory--than he did about relativity. A compelling blend of physics, biography, and the history of science, Einstein and the Quantum shares the untold story of how Einstein--not Max Planck or Niels Bohr--was the driving force behind early quantum theory. It paints a vivid portrait of the iconic physicist as he grappled with the apparently contradictory nature of the atomic world, in which its invisible constituents defy the categories of classical physics, behaving simultaneously as both particle and wave. And it demonstrates how Einstein's later work on the emission and absorption of light, and on atomic gases, led directly to Erwin Schrödinger's breakthrough to the modern form of quantum mechanics. The book sheds light on why Einstein ultimately renounced his own brilliant work on quantum theory, due to his deep belief in science as something objective and eternal. A book unlike any other, Einstein and the Quantum offers a completely new perspective on the scientific achievements of the greatest intellect of the twentieth century, showing how Einstein's contributions to the development of quantum theory are more significant, perhaps, than even his legendary work on relativity"-- Provided by publisher Contents Acknowledgments 1 Introduction: A Hundred Times More Than Relativity Theory 3 1 “An Act of Desperation” 8 2 The Impudent Swabian 19 3 The Gypsy Life 26 4 Two Pillars of Wisdom 32 5 The Perfect Instruments of the Creator 44 6 More Heat than Light 53 7 Difficult Counting 61 8 Those Fabulous Molecules 73 9 Tripping the Light Heuristic 82 10 Entertaining the Contradiction 93 11 Stalking the Planck 99 12 Calamity Jeans 108 13 Frozen Vibrations 117 14 Planck’s Nobel Nightmare 126 15 Joining the Union 138 16 Creative Fusion 145 17 The Importance of Being Nernst 159 18 Lamenting the Ruins 168 19 A Cosmic Interlude 181 20 Bohr’s Atomic Sonata 190 21 Relying on Chance 204 22 Chaotic Ghosts 218 23 Fifteen Million Minutes of Fame 230 24 The Indian Comet 242 25 Quantum Dice 257 26 The Royal Marriage: E=mc2=h 271 27 The Viennese Polymath 286 28 Confusion and then Uncertainty 302 29 Nicht Diese Töne 315 Appendix 1: The Physicists 324 Appendix 2: The Three Thermal Radiation Laws 328 References 333