Uncertainty : Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the struggle for the soul of science

Werner Heisenberg’s “uncertainty principle” challenged centuries of scientific understanding, placed him in direct opposition to Albert Einstein, and put Niels Bohr in the middle of one of the most heated debates in scientific history. Heisenberg’s theorem stated that there were physical limits to what we could know about sub-atomic particles; this “uncertainty” would have shocking implications. In a riveting account, David Lindley captures this critical episode and explains one of the most important scientific discoveries in history, which has since transcended the boundaries of science and influenced everything from literary theory to television. From the Trade Paperback edition. From Publishers Weekly The uncertainty in this delightful book refers to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, an idea first postulated in 1927 by physicist Werner Heisenberg in his attempt to make sense out of the developing field of quantum mechanics. As Lindley so well explains it, the concept of uncertainty shook the philosophical underpinnings of science. It was Heisenberg's work that, to a great extent, kept Einstein from accepting quantum mechanics as a full explanation for physical reality. Similarly, it was the Uncertainty Principle that demonstrated the limits of scientific investigation: if Heisenberg is correct there are some aspects of the physical universe that are to remain beyond the reach of scientists. As he has done expertly in books like Boltzmann's Atom , Lindley brings to life a critical period in the history of science, explaining complex issues to the general reader, presenting the major players in an engaging fashion, delving into the process of scientific discovery and discussing the interaction between science and society. Thus, Lindley presents a very good chapter dissecting historian of science Paul Forman's iconic, if terribly flawed, analysis of the same time period. (Feb. 20) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review “Brilliantly captures the personalities and the science surrounding the most revolutionary principle in modern physics. This book is . . . truly thrilling.” —Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe “Charmingly written and a delight to read. . . . Highlights the human element of science.”— The Economist “Provides a useful précis of the mind-blowing progress of physics in the early 20th century.” — The New York Times “Far and away the best popular account of the development of quantum mechanics I have encountered.”—Michael D. Gordin, American Scientist From the Trade Paperback edition. General,Science The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa. —Werner Heisenberg That God would choose to play dice with the world is something I cannot believe. —Albert Einstein Nothing exists until it is measured. —Neils Bohr The remarkable story of a startling scientific idea that ignited a battle among the greatest minds of the twentieth century and profoundly influenced intellectual inquiry in fields ranging from physics to literary criticism, anthropology and journalism In 1927, the young German physicist Werner Heisenberg challenged centuries of scientific understanding when he introduced what came to be known as “the uncertainty principle.” Building on his own radical innovations in quantum theory, Heisenberg proved that in many physical measurements, you can obtain one bit of information only at the price of losing another. HeisenbergвЂTMs principle implied that scientific quantities/concepts do not have absolute, independent meaning, but acquire meaning only in terms of the experiments used to measure them. This proposition, undermining the cherished belief that science could reveal the physical world with limitless detail and precision, placed Heisenberg in direct opposition to the revered Albert Einstein. The eminent scientist Niels Bohr, HeisenbergвЂTMs mentor and EinsteinвЂTMs long-time friend, found himself caught between the two. Uncertainty chronicles the birth and evolution of one of the most significant findings in the history of science, and portrays the clash of ideas and personalities it provoked. EinsteinВ was emotionally as well as intellectually determined to prove the uncertainty principle false. Heisenberg represented a new generation of physicists who believed that quantum theory overthrew the old certainties; confident of his reasoning, Heisenberg dismissed EinsteinвЂTMs objections. Bohr understood that Heisenberg was correct, but he also recognized the vital necessity of gaining EinsteinвЂTMs support as the world faced the shocking implications of HeisenbergвЂTMs principle. The Remarkable Story Of A Startling Scientific Idea That Ignited A Battle Among The Greatest Minds Of The Twentieth Century And Profoundly Influenced Intellectual Inquiry In Fields Ranging From Physics To Literary Criticism, Anthropology And Journalism. In 1927, Young German Physicist Werner Heisenberg Challenged Centuries Of Scientific Understanding When He Introduced What Came To Be Known As The Uncertainty Principle. Heisenberg Proved That In Many Physical Measurements, You Can Obtain One Bit Of Information Only At The Price Of Losing Another. This Proposition, Undermining The Cherished Belief That Science Could Reveal The Physical World With Limitless Detail And Precision, Placed Heisenberg In Direct Opposition To The Revered Albert Einstein. Niels Bohr, Heisenberg's Mentor And Einstein's Long-time Friend, Found Himself Caught Between The Two. Bohr Understood That Heisenberg Was Correct, But He Also Recognized The Vital Necessity Of Gaining Einstein's Support As The World Faced The Shocking Implications Of Heisenberg's Principle.--from Publisher Description. Irritable Particles -- Entropy Strives Toward A Maximum -- An Enigma, A Subject Of Profound Astonishment -- How Does An Electron Decide? -- An Audacity Unheard Of In Earlier Times -- Lack Of Knowledge Is No Guarantee Of Success -- How Can One Be Happy? -- I Would Rather Be A Cobbler -- Something Has Happened -- The Soul Of The Old System -- I Am Inclined To Give Up Determinism -- Our Words Don't Fit -- Awful Bohr Incantation Terminology -- Now The Game Has Won -- Life-experience And Not Scientific Experience -- Possibilities Of Unambiguous Interpretation -- The No-man's Land Between Logic And Physics -- Anarchy At Last. David Lindley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-247) And Index. The gripping, entertaining, and vividly-told narrative of a radical discovery that sent shockwaves through the scientific community and forever changed the way we understand the world. Werner Heisenberg’s “uncertainty principle” challenged centuries of scientific understanding, placed him in direct opposition to Albert Einstein, and put Niels Bohr in the middle of one of the most heated debates in scientific history. Heisenberg’s theorem stated that there were physical limits to what we could know about sub-atomic particles; this “uncertainty” would have shocking implications. In a riveting and lively account, David Lindley captures this critical episode and explains one of the most important scientific discoveries in history, which has since transcended the boundaries of science and influenced everything from literary theory to television.