The formation and logic of quantum mechanics. Transl. from the Japanese and with explanatory notes by Masayuki Nagasaki. I: The formation of atomic models (Q2713348)

The title of this work in three volumes, the first volume appeared originally 1948 in Japanese, is a bit misleading since it wrongly suggests that it concerns quantum logics. Actually, this book is a look back on the adventure and early development of quantum mechanics. It describes the early history in the light of a realistic theory of knowledge developed by the first author. It contrasts the ``Machist view of science in treating the difficulties met with in nuclear physics at that time''. NEWLINENEWLINEReading the text, one finds the physics of the historical steps thoroughly represented and explained without philosophical remarks. The latter are given at the end of the second of the two chapters of this volume, where the first author judges on the different philosophical views of the historical process of cognition described. NEWLINENEWLINEThe first chapter is devoted to the physics in Planck's time and his endeavor to find a to explain the radiation law and his final success by the hypothesis of energy quanta. Also Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect and his influence on the development of the theory of quanta is described. The second chapter, devoted to the formation of atomic models, begins with the description of line spectra which realistic atomic models had to explain. The reader is guided through the diversity of atomic models and the clarification of the nature of electrons until he arrives at the Rutherford experiment, which rules out most of them. NEWLINENEWLINEThis book is very readable and can be recommended to physicists interested in the history of their science as well as to philosophers and historians. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINE[For the 2nd and 3rd volume see (2001; Zbl 1089.81004, Zbl 1090.81004).]