The concept of mass is one of the most fundamental notions in physics, comparable in importance only to those of space and time. But in contrast to the latter, which are the subject of innumerable physical and philosophical studies, the concept of mass has been but rarely investigated. Here Max Jammer, a leading philosopher and historian of physics, provides a concise but comprehensive, coherent, and self-contained study of the concept of mass as it is defined, interpreted, and applied in contemporary physics and as it is critically examined in the modern philosophy of science. With its focus on theories proposed after the mid-1950s, the book is the first of its kind, covering the most recent experimental and theoretical investigations into the nature of mass and its role in modern physics, from the realm of elementary particles to the cosmology of galaxies. The book begins with an analysis of the persistent difficulties of defining inertial mass in a noncircular manner and discusses the related question of whether mass is an observational or a theoretical concept. It then studies the notion of mass in special relativity and the delicate problem of whether the relativistic rest mass is the only legitimate notion of mass and whether it is identical with the classical (Newtonian) mass. This is followed by a critical analysis of the different derivations of the famous mass-energy relationship E = mc2 and its conflicting interpretations. Jammer then devotes a chapter to the distinction between inertial and gravitational mass and to the various versions of the so-called equivalence principle with which Newton initiated his Principia but which also became the starting point of Einstein's general relativity, which supersedes Newtonian physics. The book concludes with a presentation of recently proposed global and local dynamical theories of the origin and nature of mass. Destined to become a much-consulted reference for philosophers and physicists, this book is also written for the nonprofessional general reader interested in the foundations of physics.

"In Quantum Dialogue, Mara Beller shows that science is rooted not just in conversation but in disagreement, doubt, and uncertainty. She argues that it is precisely this culture of dialogue and controversy within the scientific community that fuels creativity." "Beller begins with the emergence of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Born's probabilistic interpretation, and Bohr's complementarity principle, demonstrating how theoretical concerns, experiment, logic, emotions, and ambitions all play a crucial role in the emergence of novelty. From there she proceeds to construct a radical new reading of the history of the quantum revolution, especially the development of the Copenhagen interpretation."--Jacket.

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Memoirs of a Physicist in the Atomic Age Elsasser, Walter M.

Relativity: A Richer Truth is a book written by Philipp Frank that explores the fundamental principles of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. The book is a comprehensive guide that delves into the history and development of the theory, explaining the complex concepts and ideas in a clear and concise manner.The book is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the historical background of relativity and the second part delving into the mathematical and physical principles that underlie the theory. The author provides a detailed account of Einstein's life and work, tracing the evolution of his ideas and the scientific and philosophical debates that surrounded them.The second part of the book explores the mathematical and physical principles that form the foundation of relativity. The author explains the concepts of space-time, the equivalence principle, and the nature of gravity, among others, in a way that is accessible to readers with no prior knowledge of physics.In addition to providing a clear and comprehensive introduction to relativity, the book also highlights the broader implications of the theory for our understanding of the universe and our place within it. The author discusses the philosophical and cultural implications of relativity, exploring its impact on our concepts of time, space, and reality.Overall, Relativity: A Richer Truth is an engaging and informative book that offers readers a deeper understanding of one of the most important scientific theories of the modern era. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of science, physics, or the philosophical implications of relativity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

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AGASSI, J.: RADIATION THEORY AND THE QUANTUM REVOLUTION [HARDBACK]. BASEL, 1993, xvii 178 p. Encuadernacion original. Nuevo.

David Lasser stands as one of the least-known but extraordinary pioneers of spaceflight. In 1930 he founded the American Interplanetary Society (AIAA) -- the same year he wrote this book -- the first book ever written in the English language to address the notion of spaceflight as a serious possibility. The book has not been in print since 1931 and yet it still stands up to scrutiny. The lucid style with which Lasser explains the basic concepts of rocketry make it a delight for anyone to read.

Physics explores the scientific view of the world as it has developed from the earliest theories of Aristotle, Euclid, and Newton to modern theories, such as Einstein’s relativity and quantum mechanics. The classic text’s chief distinction is its time-proven ability to overcome anxieties about science by arousing interest in imaginative ideas. Those curious about physics but lacking science and mathematics backgrounds will find well-told history and countless stimulating examples. The historical approach enables students to examine philosophical questions from many viewpoints and ot see how current theory evolved. Physics has been thoroughly tested and refined by several decades of classroom teaching. A new prologue covers the years since the original 1968 edition. Chapter source notes, review problems, questions and answers, and mathematical appendices are included for those wishing to pursue topics further. The material is supplemented with clear line drawings, illustrations, graphs, charts, and tables.

The Law of Causality and its Limits was the principal philosophical work of the physicist turned philosopher, Philipp Frank. Born in Vienna on March 20, 1884, Frank died in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 21, 1966. He received his doctorate in 1907 at the University of Vienna in theoretical physics, having studied under Ludwig Boltzmann; his sub sequent research in physics and mathematics was represented by more than 60 scientific papers. Moreover his great success as teacher and expositor was recognized throughout the scientific world with publication of his collaborative Die Differentialgleichungen der Mechanik und Physik, with Richard von Mises, in 1925-27. Frank was responsible for the second volume, on physics, and especially noted for his authoritative article on classical Hamiltonian mechanics and optics. Among his earliest papers were those, beginning in 1908, devoted to special relativity, which together with general relativity and physical cosmology occupied him throughout his life. Already in 1907, Frank published his seminal paper 'Kausalgesetz und Erfahrung' ('Experience and the Law of Causality'), much later collected with a splendid selection of his essays on philosophy of science, in English (1941c and 1949g, in our Bibliography). Joining the first 'Vienna Circle' in the first decade of the 20th century, with Hans Hahn, mathematician, and Otto Neurath, sociologist and economist, and deeply influenced by studies of Ernst Mach's critical conceptual histories of science and by the striking challenge of Poincare and Duhem, Frank continued his epistemological investigations.

This groundbreaking work on atomic physics offers a comprehensive exploration of the principles of resonance, radiation, and excited atoms. Written by two leading experts in the field, this book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the fundamental laws of the universe. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The book is an expanded autobiography of the famous theoretical physicist Isaak Khalatnikov. He worked together with L.D. Landau at the Institute for Physical Problems lead by P.L. Kapitza. He is the co-author of L.D. Landau in a number of important works. They worked together in the frame of the so-called Nuclear Bomb Project. After the death of L.D. Landau, I.M. Khalatnikov initiated the establishment of the Institute for Theoretical Physics, named in honour of L.D. Landau, within the USSR Academy of Sciences. He headed this institute from the beginning as its Director. The institute inherited almost all traditions of the Landau scientific school and played a prominent role in the development of theoretical physics. So, this is a story about how the institute was created, how it worked, and about the life of the physicists in the "golden age" of the Soviet science. A separate chapter is devoted to today ́s life of the institute and the young generation of physicists working now in science. It is an historically interesting book on the development of Soviet and Russian science and presents the background of the Soviet nuclear bomb program in the cold war age. In war times, Khalatnikov was a chief of the military staff of nuclear research. He writes about the internal conditions of Soviet society, the way of operating of the Soviet authorities and ways for scientists to interact with them. It gives many interesting insights into the development of superconductivity and superfluidity. The book is written by the most experienced and best informed person among the few living Russian scientists in the environment of Landau. Many stories of the book were never published before and considered as "top secret".

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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Preface. Acknowledgements and Credits. Introduction. 1: Late Nineteenth Century Background. 1.1. Hilbert's Early Career. 1.1.1 Algebraic Invariants. 1.1.2 Algebraic Number Fields. 1.1.3 Deep Roots in Tradition. 1.2. Foundations of Geometry. 1.2.1 Riemann. 1.2.2 Projective Geometry. 1.2.3 Nineteenth-Century Axiomatics. 1.2.4 Pasch and the Italian School. 1.3. Foundations of Physics. 1.3.1 Kinetic Theory, Mechanistic Foundations. 1.3.2 Carl Neumann. 1.3.3 Heinrich Hertz. 1.3.4 Paul Volkmann. 1.3.5 Ludwig Boltzmann. 1.3.6 Aurel Voss. 1.4. Mathematics and Physics in Göttingen at the Turn of the Century. 1.4.1 Felix Klein. 1.4.2 The Physicists. 2: Axiomatization in Hilbert's Early Career. 2.1. Axiomatics, Geometry and Physics in Hilbert's Early Lectures. 2.1.1 Geometry in Königsberg. 2.1.2 Geometry in Göttingen. 2.1.3 Mechanics in Göttingen. 2.2. Grundlagen der Geometrie. 2.2.1 Independence, Simplicity, Completeness. 2.2.2 Fundamental Theorems of Projective Geometry. 2.2.3 On the Concept of Number. 2.3. The 1900 List of Problems. 2.3.1 Foundational Problems. 2.3.2 A Context for the Sixth Problem. 2.4. Early Reactions to the Grundlagen. 3: The Axiomatic Method in Action: 1900-1905. 3.1. Foundational Concerns - Empiricist Standpoint. 3.2. Hilbert and Physics in Göttingen circa 1905. 3.3. Axioms for Physical Theories: Hilbert's 1905 Lectures. 3.3.1 Mechanics. 3.3.2 Thermodynamics. 3.3.3 Probability Calculus. 3.3.4 Kinetic Theory of Gases. 3.3.5 Insurance Mathematics. 3.3.6 Electrodynamics. 3.3.7 Psychophysics. 3.3.8 A post-1909 addendum. 3.4. The Axiomatization Program by 1905 - Partial Summary. 4: Minkowski and Relativity: 1907-1909. 4.1. The Principle of Relativity. 4.2. The Basic Equations of Electromagnetic Processes in Moving Bodies. 4.2.1 Three Meanings of 'Relativity'. 4.2.2 Axioms of Electrodynamics. 4.2.3 Relativity and Mechanics. 4.2.4 Relativity and Gravitation. 4.3. Space and Time. 4.3.1 Groups of Transformations. 4.3.2 EmpiricalConsiderations. 4.3.3 Relativity and Existing Physical Theories. 4.4. Max Born, Relativity, and the Theories of the Electron. 4.4.1 Rigid Bodies. 4.5. Minkowski, Axiomatics and Relativity - Summary. 5: Mechanical to Electromagnetic Reductionism: 1910-1914. 5.1. Lectures on Mechanics and Continuum Mechanics. 5.2. Kinetic Theory. 5.3. Radiation Theory. 5.3.1 Hilbert and Kirchhoff's Law: 1912. 5.3.2 Reactions and Sequels: Early 1913. 5.3.3 Pringsheim's Criticism: 1913. 5.3.4 Hilbert's Final Version: 1914. 5.3.5 Kinetic and Radiation Theory: General Remarks. 5.4. Structure of Matter and Relativity: 1912-1914. 5.4.1 Molecular Theory of Matter - 1912-13. 5.4.2 Electron Theory: 1913. 5.4.3 Axiomatization of Physics: 1913. 5.4.4 Electromagnetic Oscillations: 1913-14. 5.5. Broadening Physical Horizons - Concluding Remarks. 6: Einstein and Mie: Two Pillars of Hilbert's Unified Theory. 6.1. Einstein's Way to General Relativity. 6.2. Mie's Electromagnetic Theory of Matter. 6.2.1 First and Second Installment: Early 1912. 6.2.2 Third Installment: November 1912. 6.3. Contemporary Debates on Gravitation. 6.4. Born's Formulation of Mie's Theory. 6.5. The Background to Hilbert's Unified Theory - Summary. 7: Foundations of Physics: 1915-1916. 7.1. Einstein in Göttingen - Summer of 1915. 7.2. Hilbert's Unified Theory - General Considerations. 7.3. Hilbert's Communication to the GWG - November 1915. 7.3.1 Axioms and Basic Assumptions. 7.3.2 The Hamiltonian Function and the Field Equations. 7.3.3 Summary and Additional Considerations. 7.4. The Hilbert-Einstein Correspondence and Einstein's Four Communications - November 1915. 7.5. Hilbert's Unified Theory: First Printed Version - March 1916. 7.6. Foundations of Physics - Summary. 8: Hilbert and GTR: 1916-1918. 8.1. Mie's Reaction. 8.2. Einstein's Reaction. 8.3. Hilbert Teaches GTR - 1916-1917. 8.4. Hilbert's Second Communication - December 1916. 8.5. Göttingen Debates on Energy

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Max Born (1882-1970) was a physicist and mathematician who won the 1954 Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in the area of quantum mechanics. Originally published in 1943, this book presents a slightly expanded version of an address Born gave to the Durham Philosophical Society and the Pure Science Society, King's College, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 21st May 1943. The text provides an examination of the mutual relationship between theory and experiment in the development of physics. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the works of Born, physics and the history of science.