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Eight Lectures on Theoretical Physics
From the PREFACE TO ORIGINAL EDITION.
The present book has for its object the presentation of the lectures which I delivered as foreign lecturer at Columbia University in the spring of the present year under the title: "The Present System of Theoretical Physics." The points of view which influenced me in the selection and treatment of the material are given at the beginning of the first lecture. Essentially, they represent the extension of a theoretical physical scheme, the fundamental elements of which I developed in an address at Leyden entitled: "The Unity of the Physical Concept of the Universe." Therefore I regard it as advantageous to consider again some of the topics of that lecture. The presentation will not and cannot, of course, claim to cover exhaustively in all directions the principles of theoretical physics.
-The Author, Berlin, 1909.
From the TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
At the request of the Adams Fund Advisory Committee, and with the consent of the author, the following translation of Professor Planck's Columbia Lectures was undertaken. It is hoped that the translation will be of service to many of those interested in the development of theoretical physics who, in spite of the inevitable loss, prefer a translated text in English to an original text in German. Since the time of the publication of the original text, some of the subjects treated, particularly that of heat radiation, have received much attention, with the result that some of the points of view taken at that time have undergone considerable modifications. The author considers it desirable, however, to have the translation conform to the original text, since the nature and extent of these modifications can best be appreciated by reference to the recent literature relating to the matters in question.
-A. P. Wills.
The present book has for its object the presentation of the lectures which I delivered as foreign lecturer at Columbia University in the spring of the present year under the title: "The Present System of Theoretical Physics." The points of view which influenced me in the selection and treatment of the material are given at the beginning of the first lecture. Essentially, they represent the extension of a theoretical physical scheme, the fundamental elements of which I developed in an address at Leyden entitled: "The Unity of the Physical Concept of the Universe." Therefore I regard it as advantageous to consider again some of the topics of that lecture. The presentation will not and cannot, of course, claim to cover exhaustively in all directions the principles of theoretical physics.
-The Author, Berlin, 1909.
From the TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
At the request of the Adams Fund Advisory Committee, and with the consent of the author, the following translation of Professor Planck's Columbia Lectures was undertaken. It is hoped that the translation will be of service to many of those interested in the development of theoretical physics who, in spite of the inevitable loss, prefer a translated text in English to an original text in German. Since the time of the publication of the original text, some of the subjects treated, particularly that of heat radiation, have received much attention, with the result that some of the points of view taken at that time have undergone considerable modifications. The author considers it desirable, however, to have the translation conform to the original text, since the nature and extent of these modifications can best be appreciated by reference to the recent literature relating to the matters in question.
-A. P. Wills.
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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About the author
Max Planck
276 books168 followersMax Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck was a German theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918.
Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame rests primarily on his role as originator of the quantum theory. This theory revolutionized human understanding of atomic and subatomic processes, just as Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized the understanding of space and time. Together they constitute the fundamental theories of 20th-century physics.
Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame rests primarily on his role as originator of the quantum theory. This theory revolutionized human understanding of atomic and subatomic processes, just as Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized the understanding of space and time. Together they constitute the fundamental theories of 20th-century physics.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 18, 2018
No he encontrado el libro que acabo de leer en Goodreads por lo que he elegido publicar mi reseña en la obra que más se le asemeja.
En noviembre de 1930 Max Planck pronunció en Berlín la conferencia “Positivismo y mundo externo real”, un mensaje de defensa al realismo racional en filosofía de la ciencia y un claro aviso al creciente panorama cientificista.
¿Empirismo? Racionalismo? Libre albedrío?… ¿Determinismo o indeterminismo? Que tiene que decir Planck al respecto? Si sienten ustedes admiración por los fundadores de la teoría cuántica, disfrutarán sin duda de sus palabras.
La dialéctica de Planck es aplastante, me fascinó hasta el punto de transcribir los mejores puntos de la conferencia letra por letra. Por ello, pueden ahorrarse comprar este libro leyendo las partes más importantes de la conferencia transcritas en el siguiente post.
https://hexagia.wordpress.com/2018/02...
En noviembre de 1930 Max Planck pronunció en Berlín la conferencia “Positivismo y mundo externo real”, un mensaje de defensa al realismo racional en filosofía de la ciencia y un claro aviso al creciente panorama cientificista.
¿Empirismo? Racionalismo? Libre albedrío?… ¿Determinismo o indeterminismo? Que tiene que decir Planck al respecto? Si sienten ustedes admiración por los fundadores de la teoría cuántica, disfrutarán sin duda de sus palabras.
La dialéctica de Planck es aplastante, me fascinó hasta el punto de transcribir los mejores puntos de la conferencia letra por letra. Por ello, pueden ahorrarse comprar este libro leyendo las partes más importantes de la conferencia transcritas en el siguiente post.
https://hexagia.wordpress.com/2018/02...
November 16, 2020
"From this standpoint one can say quite correctly that in the final analysis all processes in nature are reversible."
January 24, 2010
In lectures given in 1909 at Columbia, Planck covers basically all of theoretical physics, from thermodynamics to mechanics to special relativity. The lectures are equation heavy, and I often wished for more guidance with them, such as definitions of the symbols. The lectures will be something to go back to as my understanding of the field deepens.
It was cool to read Planck's derivation of h, then realize "hey, that's Planck's constant!", then realize, "oh, that's why they call it Planck's constant .."
It was cool to read Planck's derivation of h, then realize "hey, that's Planck's constant!", then realize, "oh, that's why they call it Planck's constant .."
June 20, 2013
Epochal lectures by the father of quantum mechanics , this series covers a plethora of topics from the laws of mechanics , the atomic theory of matter , the theory of equilibrium , the equations for monoatomic and polyatomic gases , the theory of relativity et al . Inundated with a lot of equations , absolutely essential though largely incomprehensible to the general public . (P.S. Great to revisit the derivation of Planck's constant , it's now i know why 'h' is called Planck's constant , after all !!! )
June 3, 2014
These lecture give wonderful insight into Planck's seminal contributions to modern physics, notably his introduction of the quantum. Planck was a gifted lecturer, and this collection is an excellent example of his talent.
September 1, 2015
This is an exquisitely written work...
It presents the then known physics of
the day of Max Plank. It is definitely
readable and understandable by anyone
that has at least a High School
Education.
It presents the then known physics of
the day of Max Plank. It is definitely
readable and understandable by anyone
that has at least a High School
Education.
Read
October 26, 2009hi
February 3, 2010
Has anyone a link for downloading this book?
Read
February 22, 2016asran
October 17, 2016
Planck wanted to de-anthropomophize nature and science so much that ends up alienating human from nature. RIP.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews