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The Quantum Ten: A Story of Passion, Tragedy, Ambition and Science
Theoretical physics is in trouble. At least that’s the impression you’d get from reading a spate of recent books on the continued failure to resolve the 80-year-old problem of unifying the classical and quantum worlds. The seeds of this problem were sewn eighty years ago when a dramatic revolution in physics reached a climax at the 1927 Solvay conference in Brussels. It’s the story of a rush to formalize quantum physics, the work of just a handful of men fired by ambition, philosophical conflicts and personal agendas. Sheilla Jones paints an intimate portrait of the ten key figures who wrestled with the mysteries of the new science of the quantum, along with a powerful supporting cast of famous (and not so famous) colleagues. The Brussels conference was the first time so many of the “quantum ten” had been in the same Albert Einstein, the lone wolf; Niels Bohr, the obsessive but gentlemanly father figure; Max Born, the anxious hypochondriac; Werner Heisenberg, the intensely ambitious one; Wolfgang Pauli, the sharp-tongued critic with a dark side; Paul Dirac, the silent Englishman; Erwin Schrödinger, the enthusiastic womanizer; Prince Louis de Broglie, the French aristocrat; Pascual Jordan, the ardent Aryan nationalist, who was not invited; and Paul Ehrenfest, who was witness to it all. This is the story of quantum physics that has never been told, an equation-free investigation into the turbulent development of the new science and its very fallible creators, including little-known details of the personal relationship between the deeply troubled Ehrenfest and his dear friend Albert Einstein. Jones weaves together the personal and the scientific in a heartwarming—and heartbreaking—story of the men who struggled to create quantum physics … a story of passion, tragedy, ambition and science.
323 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2008
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March 22, 2014
Ask someone on the street to name the person who came up with relativity, and they’ll probably say “Einstein.” Flip it around and ask what Einstein is famous for, and the majority will probably say “relativity.” Einstein and his theory are nearly synonymous, and part of Einstein’s mystique is the notion that he was a “lone genius” who deduced profound truths about the universe using the power of pure thought.
The origins of quantum theory, in contrast, are infinitely more complex. Far from being the work of a single great intellect, it was developed in spurts over many years, with several false starts and much hand-wringing, by nearly a dozen main contributors. No wonder the development of quantum theory – one of the truly revolutionary ideas of the 20th century, and, with relativity, one of the two great pillars of modern physics – has been given short shrift by science popularizers and historians. The Quantum Ten, by Canadian science writer Sheilla Jones, aims to fill that void, and this carefully-crafted “multi-biography” deserves kudos, first of all, for its ambition and scope.
Jones’s title refers to the ten thinkers who (arguably) made the greatest contribution to the new science. Aside from their passion for physics, the ten had little in common. Louis de Broglie was a French aristocrat; Niels Bohr was a high-strung Danish family man; Pascual Jordan was a right-wing German nationalist. Erwin Schrodinger spent as much time chasing women as he did pursuing his equations, while Paul Dirac rarely spoke. (“About all they had in common,” as Jones puts it, “was the fact that they were white, European males.”) Ironically, the group includes Einstein himself: His work on the photoelectric effect – demonstrating that light comes in discrete bundles, or “quanta” – was one of the first key contributions to quantum theory. Yet Einstein struggled to embrace the strange new world that that quantum physics, with its probabilities and built-in uncertainty, seemed to demand. God does not play dice, he famously quipped.
The heart of the story unfolds in the turbulent middle years of the 1920s. In those brief years, researchers at three key European centres of learning – Munich, Göttingen, and Copenhagen – struggled to find the “rules” of the new physics and make sense of its implications. The Fifth Solvay Conference, held in Brussels in 1927, serves as Jones’s climax; it was at this momentous gathering that the competing visions of quantum theory – ultimately, visions of what physics “ought to be like” – were most clearly articulated and presented to the scientific community, warts and all.
As Jones points out, the story is not over: There may be parallels between the early years of quantum theory and today’s efforts to develop a “unified theory” that describes the world using a single physical framework. Jones wonders if the current excitement over string theory – our best guess so far at a unified theory – is similar to the euphoria of the early days of the quantum revolution. String theory, like quantum theory, involves daunting mathematics; if we let our equations lead the way – perhaps taking us where experiment cannot follow – are we still engaged in physics? Should the mathematical structures described by such a theory be considered “real”? These philosophical concerns were voiced loudly in the 1920s, and can still be heard today.
It is not easy to weave a tale involving ten main characters, and it takes a certain amount of mental effort to keep track of all the players. Nonetheless, Jones’s narrative is remarkably focused. And while this is more of a synthesis than a work of original research, most readers will almost certainly learn something new. The endless arguments between Einstein and Niels Bohr over the nature of quantum theory may be well-known; a favourite story involves the two men riding a streetcar in Copenhagen, so caught up in scientific debate that they miss their stop again and again, in one direction and then the other. Less well known is the crucial role played by Austrian-born physicist Paul Ehrenfest in bringing the two giants together, flattering both men as needed. (Erhrenfest implored Einstein in 1925 that “no man alive has seen as deeply as you into the real abysses of quantum theory,” while telling Bohr that an opportunity to peer “with Einstein into the furthest depths of physics that are at present accessible to anyone’s gaze” is too valuable to pass up.) When the two men eventually stayed as guests in the Ehrenfest home, they were no doubt amused by their host’s pet parrot, which had been trained to say, “But, gentlemen, that is not physics.” Of the ten characters, Ehernfest is the most tragic; after battling depression, he killed himself and also his mentally-disabled teenage son.
The book focuses on biography and history more than the physics itself. The absence of equations will no doubt please many readers, though anyone who wasn’t already clear on, say, the distinction between wave mechanics and matrix mechanics may come away still feeling some uneasiness on the matter. There are other minor flaws. A discussion of the units used to measure energy, force, and time is muddled, while James Clerk Maxwell, who hailed from Scotland, is described as “English.” The use of a metaphor involving the reading of chicken entrails, employed twice in the first 50 pages, may seem excessively poultry-oriented to some.
But these are minor shortcomings. The Quantum Ten illuminates a neglected chapter in the history of physics, and Jones tells the story with enthusiasm and flair. Above all, she gives the reader a real feeling for the personalities behind the science – a look at the minds of ten passionate thinkers who changed our world forever. (Adapted from a review I wrote for The Globe and Mail.)
The origins of quantum theory, in contrast, are infinitely more complex. Far from being the work of a single great intellect, it was developed in spurts over many years, with several false starts and much hand-wringing, by nearly a dozen main contributors. No wonder the development of quantum theory – one of the truly revolutionary ideas of the 20th century, and, with relativity, one of the two great pillars of modern physics – has been given short shrift by science popularizers and historians. The Quantum Ten, by Canadian science writer Sheilla Jones, aims to fill that void, and this carefully-crafted “multi-biography” deserves kudos, first of all, for its ambition and scope.
Jones’s title refers to the ten thinkers who (arguably) made the greatest contribution to the new science. Aside from their passion for physics, the ten had little in common. Louis de Broglie was a French aristocrat; Niels Bohr was a high-strung Danish family man; Pascual Jordan was a right-wing German nationalist. Erwin Schrodinger spent as much time chasing women as he did pursuing his equations, while Paul Dirac rarely spoke. (“About all they had in common,” as Jones puts it, “was the fact that they were white, European males.”) Ironically, the group includes Einstein himself: His work on the photoelectric effect – demonstrating that light comes in discrete bundles, or “quanta” – was one of the first key contributions to quantum theory. Yet Einstein struggled to embrace the strange new world that that quantum physics, with its probabilities and built-in uncertainty, seemed to demand. God does not play dice, he famously quipped.
The heart of the story unfolds in the turbulent middle years of the 1920s. In those brief years, researchers at three key European centres of learning – Munich, Göttingen, and Copenhagen – struggled to find the “rules” of the new physics and make sense of its implications. The Fifth Solvay Conference, held in Brussels in 1927, serves as Jones’s climax; it was at this momentous gathering that the competing visions of quantum theory – ultimately, visions of what physics “ought to be like” – were most clearly articulated and presented to the scientific community, warts and all.
As Jones points out, the story is not over: There may be parallels between the early years of quantum theory and today’s efforts to develop a “unified theory” that describes the world using a single physical framework. Jones wonders if the current excitement over string theory – our best guess so far at a unified theory – is similar to the euphoria of the early days of the quantum revolution. String theory, like quantum theory, involves daunting mathematics; if we let our equations lead the way – perhaps taking us where experiment cannot follow – are we still engaged in physics? Should the mathematical structures described by such a theory be considered “real”? These philosophical concerns were voiced loudly in the 1920s, and can still be heard today.
It is not easy to weave a tale involving ten main characters, and it takes a certain amount of mental effort to keep track of all the players. Nonetheless, Jones’s narrative is remarkably focused. And while this is more of a synthesis than a work of original research, most readers will almost certainly learn something new. The endless arguments between Einstein and Niels Bohr over the nature of quantum theory may be well-known; a favourite story involves the two men riding a streetcar in Copenhagen, so caught up in scientific debate that they miss their stop again and again, in one direction and then the other. Less well known is the crucial role played by Austrian-born physicist Paul Ehrenfest in bringing the two giants together, flattering both men as needed. (Erhrenfest implored Einstein in 1925 that “no man alive has seen as deeply as you into the real abysses of quantum theory,” while telling Bohr that an opportunity to peer “with Einstein into the furthest depths of physics that are at present accessible to anyone’s gaze” is too valuable to pass up.) When the two men eventually stayed as guests in the Ehrenfest home, they were no doubt amused by their host’s pet parrot, which had been trained to say, “But, gentlemen, that is not physics.” Of the ten characters, Ehernfest is the most tragic; after battling depression, he killed himself and also his mentally-disabled teenage son.
The book focuses on biography and history more than the physics itself. The absence of equations will no doubt please many readers, though anyone who wasn’t already clear on, say, the distinction between wave mechanics and matrix mechanics may come away still feeling some uneasiness on the matter. There are other minor flaws. A discussion of the units used to measure energy, force, and time is muddled, while James Clerk Maxwell, who hailed from Scotland, is described as “English.” The use of a metaphor involving the reading of chicken entrails, employed twice in the first 50 pages, may seem excessively poultry-oriented to some.
But these are minor shortcomings. The Quantum Ten illuminates a neglected chapter in the history of physics, and Jones tells the story with enthusiasm and flair. Above all, she gives the reader a real feeling for the personalities behind the science – a look at the minds of ten passionate thinkers who changed our world forever. (Adapted from a review I wrote for The Globe and Mail.)
October 5, 2020
كتاب رائع جداً، يستحق القراءة.
July 22, 2024
تجربة جيدة جدا مع الفيزياء الحديثة و علمائها تجعلك تكره كيف يشوه التعليم المحتوي العلمي الرائع ليتنا نتمتع بمعلمين و موجهين و مديرين يقدرون العلم كما يقدره العلماء
December 8, 2021
جاء هذا الكتاب كافضل افتتاحية ليا عشان ابدأ ف قراءات علمية شبه جادة و سعدت بتجربة قراءته ، و استمتعت و حزنت و تحمست . انا عاشق ولهان للفيزياء و خاصة ميكانيكا الكم و هيبقي مجال دراستي فيها بس بحب في الاول اقرا الكتب المبسطة عنها ، و كان اختيار ممتاز لهذا الكتاب ، بالنسبالي الكتاب ده هو افضل قراءاتي ، و من اكتر كتب تحفيز اللي سمعت عنها في حياتي ، يمكن علسان انا ملم بقدر كافي بالموضوعات اللي فيه . بس هو في الاصل يعتبر كتاب سيرة ذاتية سواء للعلماء او للعلم (الكوانتم) نفسه . الكتاب بيوضح كواليس العلماء و تصرفاتهم و طريقة حولرهم مع بعض و ازاي بيبنو الافكار و بيتناقشوا فيها ، و احيانا بيتنافسوا . هنشوف مسرات و جوايز و هنشوف حوادث انتحار لعلماء لمجرد ان استعصي عليهم الفهم و حياتهم ضاقت ، هتهلص في اخر الكتاب انك لازم عشان تبني مشوار علمي عظيم : يجب انك تكون مؤمن بنفسك و في نفس الوقت لا تأخذها علي محمل الجد ، ان تكون ساخر لاذع مثل باولي ، و ان تهتم و تجتهد في اختيار شريكة حياة تعينك لتحقيق طموحك و تدفعك وقت اكتئابك و قلقك و شكوكك في نفسك . كان رائع ان نتعرض للحياة الشخصية لكل عالم لكي نفهم ف ٣٠ ثانية كيف تكون عالم ميكانيكا كم ف القرن العشرين ، فهمنا الصراعات و التفكير المتعمق لبور و عطفه الابوي علي كل طلبته . ماكس بورن العالم المجهول سابقا بالنسبالي و المتيم به حاليا ، هايزنبرج العنيد الواثق الشاكك في ذاته ، الامير دي بروي الحزين الغير مشرف لامه و حسبها برغم عبقريته و ثورية نتائجه ، شرودنجر و حياته من النساء لملاجيء الطعام لمؤتمر سولفاي . ممتن لمكتبة الاسرة علي تقديم عذه التحفة الملهمة بسعر زهيد .
June 30, 2021
This was an anniversary gift from my wife. Not a story that I typically would have thought I would enjoy, but it was very interesting. It's about the group of physicists; including Einstein, Bohr, etc and their discussions/ meeting on Quantum Physics, string theory. I'm no physicist but Sheila Jones made the story interesting, esp her ability to discuss the personalities involved in these meetings. A highly recommended read.
June 11, 2020
كتاب جميل جدًا، بترجمة سهلة وسلسة.
.
يحكي تاريخ صعود فيزياء الكم، وعن قصص نجاح وإحباط ومعاناة أشهر العلماء المساهمين فيها، مثل:
• ألبرت أينشتاين
• نيلز بور
• بول إيرنفست
• ماكس بورن
• باسكوال جوردان
• فيرنر هايزنبرج
• لويس دي بروي
• بول ديراك
• ولفجانج باولي
• إيرفين شرودنجر
-
م
.
يحكي تاريخ صعود فيزياء الكم، وعن قصص نجاح وإحباط ومعاناة أشهر العلماء المساهمين فيها، مثل:
• ألبرت أينشتاين
• نيلز بور
• بول إيرنفست
• ماكس بورن
• باسكوال جوردان
• فيرنر هايزنبرج
• لويس دي بروي
• بول ديراك
• ولفجانج باولي
• إيرفين شرودنجر
-
م
May 22, 2020
" تشبه نظرية الكم غيرها من الانتصارات الأخرى بصورة كبيرة، فهي تثير الابتسام لشهور وتسبب البكاء لسنوات".
July 18, 2018
I abandoned this at 65% as I am bored and have not been back to read it.
November 13, 2024
استمتعت جدا به
وتحيه خاصة جدا جدا جدا للمترجم
وتحيه خاصة جدا جدا جدا للمترجم
May 22, 2020
يمثل هذا الكتاب ملحمة تاريخية حيث يشهد تطور أكثر العقول إستنارة على وجه الأرض وتعقد قضاياهم، إتفاقاتهم ومفترقات الطرق بين أفكارهم المتمثلة بنظرية هي الأنجح على الإطلاق، نظرية الكم.
يسلط الكتاب الضوء على أن العلم ليس بالأداة السهلة رغم منهجيته الواضحة التي تميزه عن أي مناهج أخرى ممن تتلحف بالعلم ولكن بين طياتها تتجلى الخرافات، وايضا ليس العلماء بالملائكة المنزلين لنشر العلوم، بل هم رسل بعثوا بمناهج مختلفة قد تشهد صراعات بينها وبين بعضها قد تصل حد الإنقطاع بين صخب المناقشات في المؤتمرات العلمية رغم تعدد اللغات المتحدث بها من كل أنحاء أوروبا، وفي الاخير يظل البقاء للأصلح، الأشمل والأسهل في فهم الطبيعة، بينما تندثر النظريات الأخرى وتكون طي النسيان حيث لا نراها الا في كتب تاريخ العلوم أو على هوامش بعض المراجع، ولكن بعضها بلا شك ساهم بشكل كبير فيما نعرفه وتوصلنا إليه الآن.
أدركت أثناء قرائتي للكتاب، الفراغات اللاتي كانت تتخلل فهمي لبعض النظريات -كمتخصص بالطبع- لعدم فهمي تسلسل وتطور تلك النظريات من منظور تاريخي حيث ينبغي للمرأ معرفة لماذا كانت الحاجه اصلا لتطوير نظرية ما لتلافي عيوب نظرية أخرى، أو لمبدأ هو الأسمى في الفيزياء، ألا وهو مبدأ التوحيد في سبيل معرفة وتطوير "نظرية كل شئ".
أكثر ما أعجبني في هذا الكتاب هو إنصافه للعالم الفيزيائي "بولتزمان" الذي وضع بذرة نظرية الكم التي نسبت فيما بعد للعالم ماكس بلانك حيث طور الديناميكا الإحصائية وكان أول من قسم الطاقة إلى كمات وأول من قدم تفسيرا إحصائيا عن معضلة الإنعكاسية في القانون الثاني للديناميكا الحرارية رغم الإنتقادات الشديدة التي طالته وارغمته على التصريح بأن فكرة كمات الطاقة ليست إلا فكرة نظرية لحل مشكلة المعادلات.
يمتلك الكتاب أسلوبًا مميزا في السرد على الرغم من التخبط بين ماضي ومستقبل أبطاله مما يودي بالقارئ إلى التشتت وفقد التركيز، ولكن، بما في هذا الكتاب من أحداث، أتمنى أن أشاهده وهو يتحول إلى عمل فني يسرد إنجازات الآباء المؤسسين لنظرية الكم.
يسلط الكتاب الضوء على أن العلم ليس بالأداة السهلة رغم منهجيته الواضحة التي تميزه عن أي مناهج أخرى ممن تتلحف بالعلم ولكن بين طياتها تتجلى الخرافات، وايضا ليس العلماء بالملائكة المنزلين لنشر العلوم، بل هم رسل بعثوا بمناهج مختلفة قد تشهد صراعات بينها وبين بعضها قد تصل حد الإنقطاع بين صخب المناقشات في المؤتمرات العلمية رغم تعدد اللغات المتحدث بها من كل أنحاء أوروبا، وفي الاخير يظل البقاء للأصلح، الأشمل والأسهل في فهم الطبيعة، بينما تندثر النظريات الأخرى وتكون طي النسيان حيث لا نراها الا في كتب تاريخ العلوم أو على هوامش بعض المراجع، ولكن بعضها بلا شك ساهم بشكل كبير فيما نعرفه وتوصلنا إليه الآن.
أدركت أثناء قرائتي للكتاب، الفراغات اللاتي كانت تتخلل فهمي لبعض النظريات -كمتخصص بالطبع- لعدم فهمي تسلسل وتطور تلك النظريات من منظور تاريخي حيث ينبغي للمرأ معرفة لماذا كانت الحاجه اصلا لتطوير نظرية ما لتلافي عيوب نظرية أخرى، أو لمبدأ هو الأسمى في الفيزياء، ألا وهو مبدأ التوحيد في سبيل معرفة وتطوير "نظرية كل شئ".
أكثر ما أعجبني في هذا الكتاب هو إنصافه للعالم الفيزيائي "بولتزمان" الذي وضع بذرة نظرية الكم التي نسبت فيما بعد للعالم ماكس بلانك حيث طور الديناميكا الإحصائية وكان أول من قسم الطاقة إلى كمات وأول من قدم تفسيرا إحصائيا عن معضلة الإنعكاسية في القانون الثاني للديناميكا الحرارية رغم الإنتقادات الشديدة التي طالته وارغمته على التصريح بأن فكرة كمات الطاقة ليست إلا فكرة نظرية لحل مشكلة المعادلات.
يمتلك الكتاب أسلوبًا مميزا في السرد على الرغم من التخبط بين ماضي ومستقبل أبطاله مما يودي بالقارئ إلى التشتت وفقد التركيز، ولكن، بما في هذا الكتاب من أحداث، أتمنى أن أشاهده وهو يتحول إلى عمل فني يسرد إنجازات الآباء المؤسسين لنظرية الكم.
January 15, 2019
The book provides a compelling history of the developments leading up to the establishment of Quantum Mechanics as field. It begins with Thermodynamics and it’s laws leading to the conservation of energy and the second law. With Boltzmann leading this effort, he find energy chunking as a possible solution with giving much thought to its implications. His student, Paul Ehrenfest continues this work but it is Max Planck who uses the same chunking approach to resolve radiation problem; coming up with h as the constant. Now the challenge was to combine heat, light, and matter into one theory - this is the beginning of Quantum. Einstein comes up with Photoelectric effect, Neils Bohr with orbital modal of the atom, and so begins the unraveling of the mysteries within the atom. The book goes through many such details but spends appreciable time telling mini-biographies of these individuals who worked tirelessly to develop the theory within a relatively short period up to 1927. The final major developments are by Heisenberg, Pauli, de Broglie and Shrodinger. Good book for someone who knows a little about the theory to keep interest.
May 18, 2025
A very interesting history of the entwined relationships of ten prominent pioneers of Quantum Physics.
It is an easy read, perfect for anyone with no need for a background in physics or mathematics
I was slightly disappointed with this lack of technical detail - it is a shame for example, that the book writes that a public newspaper wrote 6 pages on Einstein's 1929 theory, while dedicating only a sole paragraph in this book to it, without even explaining what the theory covered.
My greater disappointment is with 2 myths that the book propagated. One was the claim that Einstein's mathematics was poor, which frankly isn't true. The other was the frankly ridiculous claim that there was no legacy to Newton's work in England... had the author not heard of Cotes, Maclaurin and Priestly in maths and physics, or Flamsteed, Halley, and Bradley in Astronomy?
It is an easy read, perfect for anyone with no need for a background in physics or mathematics
I was slightly disappointed with this lack of technical detail - it is a shame for example, that the book writes that a public newspaper wrote 6 pages on Einstein's 1929 theory, while dedicating only a sole paragraph in this book to it, without even explaining what the theory covered.
My greater disappointment is with 2 myths that the book propagated. One was the claim that Einstein's mathematics was poor, which frankly isn't true. The other was the frankly ridiculous claim that there was no legacy to Newton's work in England... had the author not heard of Cotes, Maclaurin and Priestly in maths and physics, or Flamsteed, Halley, and Bradley in Astronomy?
March 11, 2023
The Quantum Ten is an exceptional book that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in quantum physics. As a beginner, I found the book to be an excellent starting point to understand the history, principles, and important applications of quantum physics.
What I enjoyed most about this book was how it provided insight into the personal and professional lives of ten of the most important figures in quantum physics. The author did a fantastic job of presenting complex topics in an accessible and engaging way, making it a pleasure to read.
What I enjoyed most about this book was how it provided insight into the personal and professional lives of ten of the most important figures in quantum physics. The author did a fantastic job of presenting complex topics in an accessible and engaging way, making it a pleasure to read.
February 23, 2021
I enjoyed the book very much because it was not purely the science but also touched on these 10 men and their lives. The science is handled nicely by the author in that it does not go so deep to lose me completely but enough to get the reader to understand how complicated the science is.
September 27, 2022
نظرة شاملة لبداية نشأة ميكانيكا الكم والصراعات العلمية بين علماء الفيزياء الحديثة لمحاولة فرض مدرسة علمية على أخرى في وقت لم يكن فيه العالم هادئ من صراعاته المستمرة
December 22, 2023
it was really interesting to read how one another built their ideas together. Wolfgang is my favorite. I strive to be like them have a revolutionary idea that has an impact.
April 2, 2020
تبدأ جيدة للغاية وتقل جودتها وتشويقها بمرور الوقت
July 31, 2022
عظماء الكم العشرة
شيلا جونز
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"وخرج بور لينتظر أينشتين في محطة القطار، وكتب عن هذا اليوم فيما بعد قائلًا: لقد ركبنا الترام سويًا من المحطّة، واندمجنا في الحديث بشغف وتركيز، حتى فاتتنا محطة وصولنا، فنزلنا بعدها بعدة محطّات، وأخذنا الترام ثانية في الاتجاه العكسي، واستمر حديثنا ونقاشنا حتى نسينا محطتنا مرة أخرى، واستمر ذلك أكثر من مرّة ونحن نركب الترام ذهابًا وإيابًا مرات عديدة وهم يُشاهدونا على هذا الحال".
زُيّن البهو باللوحات الفنيّة، والخشب العتيق، والنوافذ ذات الزجاج القديم، المكان على أتمّ الاستعداد للحظة مفصلية في مسيرة العلم الحديث، يوم 24 أكتوبر عام 1927، مؤتمر سولفاي الخامس في بروكسل، الذي اتخذ "الإلكترونات والفوتونات" عنوانًا له.
في ذلك الحين، كان الجدل العلمي والفلسفي حول الكوانتم يجتاح أروقة أرقى معاهد وجامعات أوروبا، هل المادة لها طبيعة موجية كما قال دي بروي؟ هل هناك قفزات كمومية ينتقل فيها الإلكترون من مستوى طاقي إلى مستوى آخر في الذرة؟ وغير ذلك من الأسئلة والمناقشات حولها من المتوقع أن تُثار في هذا المؤتمر.
ما الذي أوصل الفيزياء إلى تلك النقطة؟ هذا ما يحكيه كتاب: "عظماء الكم العشرة قصة المعاناة والإخفاق والإحباط والنجاح فى مسيرة الإبداع العلمي" The Quantum Ten: A Story of Passion, Tragedy, Ambition and Science لـ"شيلا جونز" Sheilla Jones. والترجمة العربية لـ "إبراهيم فوزي"، عن مشروع مكتبة الأسرة عام 2019
ميزة هذا الكتاب أنّه يمثّل تأريخًا اجتماعيًا لفترة مهمة جدًا في تاريخ العلم، فهو يغوص في الحياة الاجتماعية والنفسية لأولئك العلماء العشرة الذين ساهموا في صياغة نظرية الكوانتم، والتقلبات في علاقاتهم العاطفية، وتأثير ذلك على إنتاجهم العلمي. حتى الظروف السياسية والاقتصادية لم تُغفلها الكاتبة ونحن نتحدث هنا عن فترة عصيبة جدًا عاشتها أورُبا مع الحرب العالمية الأولى ثم الثانية مع اضطهاد النازية للعلماء اليهود، ما أدى إلى خروجهم من ألمانيا إلى دول أخرى. لذلك فنظرة الكتاب نظرة شمولية جدًا على تلك المرحلة.
"وصل (الهجوم) إلى حد وصف نظرية النسبية أنها علم يهودي، وبالتالي مشكوك فيها بدرجة كبيرة".
أما العشرة الذين تناول الكتاب سيرتهم فهم: ألبرت أينشتاين (الذئب الانعزالي)، ونيلز بور (الرمز الأبوي الاستحواذي)، وماكس بورن (صاحب الشخصية القلقة والمصاب بالوسواس القهري)، فيرنر هايزنبرج (الطموح بشدة)، ولفجانج باولى (النقد ذو اللسان الحاد صاحب الشخصية الغامضة)، بول ديراك (الهادئ جدًا)، إرفين شرودنجر (المتحمس وزئر النساء)، والأمير لويس دى بروى (الأرستقراي الفرنسي)، بول إيرنفست (الذي كان شاهدًا على كل شيء)، وباسكوال جوردان.
ذكرني هذا الكتاب كثيرًا بكتاب مُشابه من حيث الفترة التي يتحدّث عنها، ومن حيث تناوله للشخصية التي يدرسها، وهو كتاب "هوس العبقرية.. العالم الداخلي لماري كوري"، مع تركيز الأخير على شخصية مدام كور بطبيعة الحال.
عن ترجمة الكتاب:
ترجمة الكتاب عامّة مقبولة، من حيث انسياب الجمل وسهولة فهمها، لكن ساءني جدًا أن أجد هذا الكم من الأخطاء الإملائية واللغوية. صدقًا ومن دون مبالغة، وبقدر ما تُسعفني ذاكرتي، ربما يكون هذا أكثر كتاب قرأته في حياتي مليء بالأخطاء، هل لم يُراجع الكتاب بعد ترجمته؟ ونحن هنا نتحدّث عن "الهيئة المصرية العامّة للكتاب"، و"مكتبة الأسرة".
شيلا جونز
نُشرت هذه المراجعة على مدونتي: https://uncertaintyblog.wordpress.com/
"وخرج بور لينتظر أينشتين في محطة القطار، وكتب عن هذا اليوم فيما بعد قائلًا: لقد ركبنا الترام سويًا من المحطّة، واندمجنا في الحديث بشغف وتركيز، حتى فاتتنا محطة وصولنا، فنزلنا بعدها بعدة محطّات، وأخذنا الترام ثانية في الاتجاه العكسي، واستمر حديثنا ونقاشنا حتى نسينا محطتنا مرة أخرى، واستمر ذلك أكثر من مرّة ونحن نركب الترام ذهابًا وإيابًا مرات عديدة وهم يُشاهدونا على هذا الحال".
زُيّن البهو باللوحات الفنيّة، والخشب العتيق، والنوافذ ذات الزجاج القديم، المكان على أتمّ الاستعداد للحظة مفصلية في مسيرة العلم الحديث، يوم 24 أكتوبر عام 1927، مؤتمر سولفاي الخامس في بروكسل، الذي اتخذ "الإلكترونات والفوتونات" عنوانًا له.
في ذلك الحين، كان الجدل العلمي والفلسفي حول الكوانتم يجتاح أروقة أرقى معاهد وجامعات أوروبا، هل المادة لها طبيعة موجية كما قال دي بروي؟ هل هناك قفزات كمومية ينتقل فيها الإلكترون من مستوى طاقي إلى مستوى آخر في الذرة؟ وغير ذلك من الأسئلة والمناقشات حولها من المتوقع أن تُثار في هذا المؤتمر.
ما الذي أوصل الفيزياء إلى تلك النقطة؟ هذا ما يحكيه كتاب: "عظماء الكم العشرة قصة المعاناة والإخفاق والإحباط والنجاح فى مسيرة الإبداع العلمي" The Quantum Ten: A Story of Passion, Tragedy, Ambition and Science لـ"شيلا جونز" Sheilla Jones. والترجمة العربية لـ "إبراهيم فوزي"، عن مشروع مكتبة الأسرة عام 2019
ميزة هذا الكتاب أنّه يمثّل تأريخًا اجتماعيًا لفترة مهمة جدًا في تاريخ العلم، فهو يغوص في الحياة الاجتماعية والنفسية لأولئك العلماء العشرة الذين ساهموا في صياغة نظرية الكوانتم، والتقلبات في علاقاتهم العاطفية، وتأثير ذلك على إنتاجهم العلمي. حتى الظروف السياسية والاقتصادية لم تُغفلها الكاتبة ونحن نتحدث هنا عن فترة عصيبة جدًا عاشتها أورُبا مع الحرب العالمية الأولى ثم الثانية مع اضطهاد النازية للعلماء اليهود، ما أدى إلى خروجهم من ألمانيا إلى دول أخرى. لذلك فنظرة الكتاب نظرة شمولية جدًا على تلك المرحلة.
"وصل (الهجوم) إلى حد وصف نظرية النسبية أنها علم يهودي، وبالتالي مشكوك فيها بدرجة كبيرة".
أما العشرة الذين تناول الكتاب سيرتهم فهم: ألبرت أينشتاين (الذئب الانعزالي)، ونيلز بور (الرمز الأبوي الاستحواذي)، وماكس بورن (صاحب الشخصية القلقة والمصاب بالوسواس القهري)، فيرنر هايزنبرج (الطموح بشدة)، ولفجانج باولى (النقد ذو اللسان الحاد صاحب الشخصية الغامضة)، بول ديراك (الهادئ جدًا)، إرفين شرودنجر (المتحمس وزئر النساء)، والأمير لويس دى بروى (الأرستقراي الفرنسي)، بول إيرنفست (الذي كان شاهدًا على كل شيء)، وباسكوال جوردان.
ذكرني هذا الكتاب كثيرًا بكتاب مُشابه من حيث الفترة التي يتحدّث عنها، ومن حيث تناوله للشخصية التي يدرسها، وهو كتاب "هوس العبقرية.. العالم الداخلي لماري كوري"، مع تركيز الأخير على شخصية مدام كور بطبيعة الحال.
عن ترجمة الكتاب:
ترجمة الكتاب عامّة مقبولة، من حيث انسياب الجمل وسهولة فهمها، لكن ساءني جدًا أن أجد هذا الكم من الأخطاء الإملائية واللغوية. صدقًا ومن دون مبالغة، وبقدر ما تُسعفني ذاكرتي، ربما يكون هذا أكثر كتاب قرأته في حياتي مليء بالأخطاء، هل لم يُراجع الكتاب بعد ترجمته؟ ونحن هنا نتحدّث عن "الهيئة المصرية العامّة للكتاب"، و"مكتبة الأسرة".
September 19, 2021
يوحى عنوان الكتاب (عظماء الكَم العشرة) بأنه مجرد سيرة ذاتية لعشرة علماء أسسوا لنظرية "ميكانيكا الكَم"، لكن فى الحقيقة الكتاب هو سيرة ذاتية لقصة نظرية "ميكانيكا الكم" نفسها ومراحل نشوئها وتطورها وإخفاقاتها ونجاحاتها..
تلك النظرية التى تختص بعالم الذرّة وما دون الذرّة، ومنها -مع نظرية النسبية- انطلقت "الفيزياء الحديثة" متجاوزة "الفيزياء الكلاسيكية" النيوتنية، فأحدثت ثورة علمية هائلة فى العصر الحديث، وقامت على أساسها معظم تقنيات التكنولوجيا الحديثة.
اختارت المؤلفة (شيلا جونز) عشرة علماء بُنيت على أكتافهم "ميكانيكا الكم"، ومن خلالهم تحكى لنا مسيرة تطور هذا العلم، وهم:
أينشتاين
نيلز بور
ماكس بورن
هايزنبرج
ولفجانج باولى
بول ديراك
شرودنجر
لويس دى برووى
باسكوال جوردان
بول إيرنفست
وحددت المؤلفة نقطة التحول الهامة فيما سمته "ثورة الكم" بمؤتمر "سولفاى" عام 1927، حيث قدم علماء الفيزياء ثلاثة تصورات متنافسة متبارزة حول تلك النظرية الثورية.
وانتهت بعد عرض شيق ودسم إلى أنه حتى الآن ورغم التقدم الهائل، ما زال يؤرق العلماء حلم توحيد نظريتى "الكم" و"النسبية" فى نظرية "كل شىء" رغم المحاولات المستمرة فى نظرية "الأوتار الفائقة".
تلك النظرية التى تختص بعالم الذرّة وما دون الذرّة، ومنها -مع نظرية النسبية- انطلقت "الفيزياء الحديثة" متجاوزة "الفيزياء الكلاسيكية" النيوتنية، فأحدثت ثورة علمية هائلة فى العصر الحديث، وقامت على أساسها معظم تقنيات التكنولوجيا الحديثة.
اختارت المؤلفة (شيلا جونز) عشرة علماء بُنيت على أكتافهم "ميكانيكا الكم"، ومن خلالهم تحكى لنا مسيرة تطور هذا العلم، وهم:
أينشتاين
نيلز بور
ماكس بورن
هايزنبرج
ولفجانج باولى
بول ديراك
شرودنجر
لويس دى برووى
باسكوال جوردان
بول إيرنفست
وحددت المؤلفة نقطة التحول الهامة فيما سمته "ثورة الكم" بمؤتمر "سولفاى" عام 1927، حيث قدم علماء الفيزياء ثلاثة تصورات متنافسة متبارزة حول تلك النظرية الثورية.
وانتهت بعد عرض شيق ودسم إلى أنه حتى الآن ورغم التقدم الهائل، ما زال يؤرق العلماء حلم توحيد نظريتى "الكم" و"النسبية" فى نظرية "كل شىء" رغم المحاولات المستمرة فى نظرية "الأوتار الفائقة".
August 13, 2012
This was a fascinating exploration of the development of quantum mechanics and quantum theory, as charted through the lives of a handful of 20th century scientists at the top of their fields. Though often tangential and over-personal, for example focusing on the sordid love lives of some of the scientists, Jones tells a compelling story that builds in tension toward a critical conference in 1927, picking up new characters along the way. The format follows one strand of the messy quantum lineage leading up to 1927 before backing off to earlier dates to pick up another thread of the lineage and building to 1927 again, and repeating; although I undersand why it was formatted in this way-- to balance dramatic effect with the reader's difficulty following more than one biography at a time-- it results in a bit of a muddy timeline, with occasional confusion as to how the various players fit together in time. I got the distinct impression that Jones was unaware of how convoluted her story was, and it's rather unfortunate that she therefore didn't realize the text would have been greatly complimented by a timeline presented in an appendix.
Another issue was the scant and not-quite-clear explanations of the physics, if any explanation was offered at all. I've read other "popular" physics and mathematics biographies, and I've seen complicated ideas presented with more clarity and attention than Jones offers. I understand the author is primarily a journalist, though she has a M.Sc. in physics... it's a blessing and a curse that her primary interest is in the history of the science rather than the science itself-- a blessing because it led her to write this book, but a curse because the book could have been stronger with more attention to conveying the ideas behind the science she was chronicling.
Whatever its flaws, I really enjoyed the read. I learned a lot about many of my intellectual heroes, and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the unfolding of academic careers, both successful and ill-fated. That latter focus of the book is one that may bore readers not in an academic circle, who aren't looking forward to doctoral dissertations and post-doctoral positions of their own or worrying over publications and the virtues of scientific truth versus unpolished sharing of ideas as a driving force toward that truth... but those were the bits that interested me most, as a young academic. How did these great minds go from hopeful students to Nobel laureates? What was the trajectory they took while navigating a changing political climate and interpersonal tensions?
My overall impression upon finishing is one of reassurance: I work in a young field (cognitive science) that is consistently in flux and has yet to find its footing in the vein of scientific laws or principles. It's the wild west, in a lot of ways, and it was wholly invigorating to read about another field during its own wild years, when the promise is high on the horizon and the field bubbles with life and tension and a persistent churning progress. It makes me so eager for my own upcoming future, and I'm glad that Jones was able to capture that essence of intellectual pursuit.
Another issue was the scant and not-quite-clear explanations of the physics, if any explanation was offered at all. I've read other "popular" physics and mathematics biographies, and I've seen complicated ideas presented with more clarity and attention than Jones offers. I understand the author is primarily a journalist, though she has a M.Sc. in physics... it's a blessing and a curse that her primary interest is in the history of the science rather than the science itself-- a blessing because it led her to write this book, but a curse because the book could have been stronger with more attention to conveying the ideas behind the science she was chronicling.
Whatever its flaws, I really enjoyed the read. I learned a lot about many of my intellectual heroes, and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the unfolding of academic careers, both successful and ill-fated. That latter focus of the book is one that may bore readers not in an academic circle, who aren't looking forward to doctoral dissertations and post-doctoral positions of their own or worrying over publications and the virtues of scientific truth versus unpolished sharing of ideas as a driving force toward that truth... but those were the bits that interested me most, as a young academic. How did these great minds go from hopeful students to Nobel laureates? What was the trajectory they took while navigating a changing political climate and interpersonal tensions?
My overall impression upon finishing is one of reassurance: I work in a young field (cognitive science) that is consistently in flux and has yet to find its footing in the vein of scientific laws or principles. It's the wild west, in a lot of ways, and it was wholly invigorating to read about another field during its own wild years, when the promise is high on the horizon and the field bubbles with life and tension and a persistent churning progress. It makes me so eager for my own upcoming future, and I'm glad that Jones was able to capture that essence of intellectual pursuit.
November 2, 2020
I pretty much agree with Dan Falk's excellent review but I have a few caveats of my own. Jones seemed to provide plenty of references to back up her descriptions of the personal lives and motivations of the participants but while extremely interesting I would have to still consider them somewhat subjective. That being said, other than Einstein, I haven't seen anywhere near this level of personal information in other works about these men. These are real people with real concerns concerning their family and love lives and their careers and legacies.
For me the science was just on the upper edge of my ability to comprehend. It seems that Jones knew my level of scientific knowledge and kept things at or below that level. I'm sure that others may find the science too obtuse while others may find it too simplified but I think she hit the right level for getting the important information across to a layman with a reasonable amount of scientific knowledge.
What I found different about this book was that Jones seemed to want to dispel the idea that QM was really established at the end of the Solvay conference. Her view seemed to be that Bohr tried to browbeat the others into accepting his interpretation and that interpretation was the last word in QM although it turned out to be more of an "let's agree to disagree" sort of ending.
Einstein, who appeared to be the main questioner of Bohr's conclusions was still debating the issue in his a 1935 paper titled" Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?" Ironically, although Bohr was able to give a strong legitimacy to the "Copenhagen Interpretation", in the world of physics that viewpoint seems to be losing ground to other interpretations in the last 30 years.
It's a great book that lets you get to know the human side of these men while still providing the right amount of a very complicated science to let you know the issues they were researching and debating in an attempt to describe the makeup of the subatomic world.
For me the science was just on the upper edge of my ability to comprehend. It seems that Jones knew my level of scientific knowledge and kept things at or below that level. I'm sure that others may find the science too obtuse while others may find it too simplified but I think she hit the right level for getting the important information across to a layman with a reasonable amount of scientific knowledge.
What I found different about this book was that Jones seemed to want to dispel the idea that QM was really established at the end of the Solvay conference. Her view seemed to be that Bohr tried to browbeat the others into accepting his interpretation and that interpretation was the last word in QM although it turned out to be more of an "let's agree to disagree" sort of ending.
Einstein, who appeared to be the main questioner of Bohr's conclusions was still debating the issue in his a 1935 paper titled" Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?" Ironically, although Bohr was able to give a strong legitimacy to the "Copenhagen Interpretation", in the world of physics that viewpoint seems to be losing ground to other interpretations in the last 30 years.
It's a great book that lets you get to know the human side of these men while still providing the right amount of a very complicated science to let you know the issues they were researching and debating in an attempt to describe the makeup of the subatomic world.
October 18, 2012
Everyone is familiar with the Einstein poster they saw hanging in their science class room. Lots of people have heard of such famous names as Bohr, Schroedinger, Madame Curie... but few have actually taken the time to get to know these pioneers of science as actual people. To discover the ups and downs of their personal lives and travel with them throughout their prestigious careers. This book bridges that gap and takes the reader on a truly impressive journey.
The most amazing thing about this book is the extensive number of lives it follows throughout it's many decades. The reader finds oneself constantly immersed in a whirlwind of academic failures and accomplishments, personal successes and embarrassments, professional highs and lows - every prominent name you might be familiar with from a science text book is scrutinized under this book's microscopic eye. All these life stories are intricately woven together into a delicately balanced tale that reveals to the reader how we have come to the scientific understanding we have today. It provides an inside look into what fueled these great minds and what encouraged them to continue to question our understanding of the world around us.
If you've ever wished to steal a peek behind that rigid curtain of science that insists all scientists be boring and stuffy, then you are in for a real show. The book does not "dumb down" it's topics. It appeals to the nerd and layman alike. I feel that this book could truly be used as a tool to show the average person a side of science they could relate to, while also enlightening the scientific audience to a side of their scholars they might not be familiar with.
A great read for all!!!
The most amazing thing about this book is the extensive number of lives it follows throughout it's many decades. The reader finds oneself constantly immersed in a whirlwind of academic failures and accomplishments, personal successes and embarrassments, professional highs and lows - every prominent name you might be familiar with from a science text book is scrutinized under this book's microscopic eye. All these life stories are intricately woven together into a delicately balanced tale that reveals to the reader how we have come to the scientific understanding we have today. It provides an inside look into what fueled these great minds and what encouraged them to continue to question our understanding of the world around us.
If you've ever wished to steal a peek behind that rigid curtain of science that insists all scientists be boring and stuffy, then you are in for a real show. The book does not "dumb down" it's topics. It appeals to the nerd and layman alike. I feel that this book could truly be used as a tool to show the average person a side of science they could relate to, while also enlightening the scientific audience to a side of their scholars they might not be familiar with.
A great read for all!!!
June 22, 2011
Argh! I'd probably give this 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because it's Wednesday and I'm feeling generous. I LOVED, loved the history in this book - it follows ten different scientists who were key in developing and trying to plod through the ideas of quantum theory. I am amazed with the amount of work and research it must have taken the author to put it all together and make it read like real life. Amazing. I loved her writing - it was matter-of-fact, but still personable.
HOWEVER, I did not like the fact that she started the book out making the fifth Solvay conference seem like this big turning point in quantum ideas, and then after all of the reading and build up of the story....it turns out that nothing was really resolved at the conference. Not even really major defining arguments. That was pretty disappointing. But, if one was to read the book just to enjoy the journey of knowledge instead of waiting for some resolution, it is great for the information and making those ten scientists come alive.
That being said, I think this book would appeal to a very narrow audience (i.e. strange people like me who like to read about the history of thought development in physics), which is unfortunate considering the great amount of work that surely went into the book. So, I would recommend this book to any "schience geechks" out there, or anyone who might be able to find an audio version of the book so you don't have to trudge through and work out the more technical parts of the book.
HOWEVER, I did not like the fact that she started the book out making the fifth Solvay conference seem like this big turning point in quantum ideas, and then after all of the reading and build up of the story....it turns out that nothing was really resolved at the conference. Not even really major defining arguments. That was pretty disappointing. But, if one was to read the book just to enjoy the journey of knowledge instead of waiting for some resolution, it is great for the information and making those ten scientists come alive.
That being said, I think this book would appeal to a very narrow audience (i.e. strange people like me who like to read about the history of thought development in physics), which is unfortunate considering the great amount of work that surely went into the book. So, I would recommend this book to any "schience geechks" out there, or anyone who might be able to find an audio version of the book so you don't have to trudge through and work out the more technical parts of the book.
February 13, 2012
I would give this 3.5 stars (maybe even 3 now that I have finished reading what I have just written). Past professors of mine told some of the stories surrounding the theoretical physicists discussed in this book (mainly Einstein and Schrodinger). The intertwined lives of these scientists was portrayed quite well, though rather superficially at times (actions and thoughts of the scientists were assigned meaning or intent without any supportive examples). An extra 50 pages could have done wonders for fleshing out all of the characters, especially Ehrenfest. The primary reason I am bothered by the superficiality in the characters comes from looking through the sources. Namely, they are copious and varied, which makes me think Jones had plenty of information but chose brevity over illumination. My other quibble lies with the ending, or lack thereof. There was a distinct period, by which the scientific community accepted quantum mechanics. However, Jones chose to end the story while the theories were still being worked out. Moreover, she chose to jump ahead to the late 20th century and draw a parallel to the ongoing development of string theory. This leaves the reader with the impression that the world decided quantum mechanics was hard and the physicists decided to go have a beer and play pinochle instead of continuing this daunting task.
February 4, 2012
I'd really like to give this book 3-3/4 stars. A little more science than I care for. Perhaps that is because so much of it was admittedly over my head despite the author's best efforts. She really did a good job of trying to explain some pretty abstract concepts so that an average person could understand them without feeling too inadequate. But then again, sometimes the metaphysical/philosophical and I don't always see eye-to-eye (I tend to be a "meat and potatoes" kind of gal). Still I found the book -- and the science -- interesting and fairly easy to read. What I really enjoyed was the history and the mini-biographies of other physicist-rock stars besides Einstein and Bohr, like Schroedinger and Ehrenfest. They were everyman, each with their own insecurities, parent issues, job security worries, idiosyncrasies, etc. Oh, yeah, but they were all a bunch of geniuses. I would recommend this book and will likely read it again, mostly because I'm stubborn and don't like not understanding things.
November 18, 2008
There is a lot of detail on the stormy personal lives of the founders of quantum mechanics in this book, but there is almost no actual quantum mechanics.
August 14, 2009
Meh... It's a narrative, neither deep in interpersonal action or deep in science. The subtitle is ridiculous.
November 6, 2010
Excellent book about the geniuses who developed quantum mechanics in the early 20th century. No math, just history. Interesting to learn about the personal lives of these physicists.
July 21, 2011
Jones produces both a very good history of science, and a study of the personalities involved in the 1927 Solvay conference.
July 14, 2012
Engaging history of the men who developed quantum mechanics. Definitely got a better understanding of their personalities and how science was done and shared in the 1920s.
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