Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality
Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality
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“One of the best guides yet to the central conundrums of modern physics.”—John Banville Quantum theory is weird. As Niels Bohr said, if you weren’t shocked by quantum theory, you didn’t really understand it. For most people, quantum theory is synonymous with mysterious, impenetrable science. And in fact for many years it was equally baffling for scientists themselves. In this tour de force of science history, Manjit Kumar gives a dramatic and superbly written account of this fundamental scientific revolution, focusing on the central conflict between Einstein and Bohr over the nature of reality and the soul of science. This revelatory book takes a close look at the golden age of physics, the brilliant young minds at its core—and how an idea ignited the greatest intellectual debate of the twentieth century. 16 pages of photographs
Details
- ISBN13: 9780393078299
- Condition: New
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Rating
Kumar’s book on the history of early twentieth century physics and atomic theory skips from page to page, fleshing out scientific expanations with vivid descriptions of the key protagonists. It is a real skill to make sophisticated scientific theories accessible to the lay person, but Kumar’s use of metaphor helps bring the most intangible concepts to life. This is a modern classic, but more important, a really fun read.
Rating
This is a fascinating book about the development of modern physics, written in such a compelling way that I literally begun putting off other activities in order to return to the book…and find out what happened next. The science is equally gripping.
Rating
The development of quantum physics through the 20th century is one of the great adventures of science, and here at last is a book aimed at the layperson which clearly explains its key concepts, while situating the scientific development in its broader setting. The result is a challenging and enthralling read.
Quantum is appropriately sub-titled, Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality. The long theoretical duel between these two giants of modern physics is a recurring theme of the book, but the story starts before them with the build-up to the discovery of Planck’s constant at the turn of the century, and continues beyond their deaths (in 1955 and 1962 respectively) to take in Bell’s Theorem and Everett’s “many worlds” interpretation. Along the way we meet other great physicists such as Rutherford, Heisenberg, Pauli, Schrödinger, Dirac and Bohm.
One might suspect that a book of such scope would be in danger of being overcrowded with theories and theorists, yet Kumar rises to the challenge, displaying a novelist’s sense of pacing allied with an impressive scientific clarity and succinctness. Clearly he has taken to heart the famous injunction attributed to Einstein to “make it as simple as possible, but no simpler!” He also strikes a judicious balance between scientific explanation and human context. This provided for me a welcome alternation between the physics and the lives of the physicists, with each stimulating an interest in the other.
What is so powerful and inspiring about this book is the way it conveys the passion for truth of those great pioneers. No doubt ego played its part as well, they would hardly have been human otherwise, but it is always secondary to the great quest to fathom the nature of sub-atomic reality. Characteristic of this passion is the anecdote of Bohr and Einstein on their first meeting in Copenhagen, straightaway so engrossed in debate that they repeatedly miss their bus-stop. Kumar evidently resonates to this passion, and conveys it vividly in his narrative. Here is an extract from his account of Bohr’s first meeting with Schrödinger, one of Einstein’s key allies in the great debate:
“After the exchange of pleasantries, battle began almost at once, and according to Heisenberg, `continued daily from early morning until late at night’… During one discussion Schrödinger called `the whole idea of quantum jumps a sheer fantasy’. `But it does not prove there are no quantum jumps,’ Bohr countered. All it proved, he continued, was that `we cannot imagine them’. Emotions soon ran high… Schrödinger finally snapped. `If all this damned quantum jumping were really here to stay, I should be sorry I ever got involved with quantum theory.’ `But the rest of us are extremely grateful that you did,’ Bohr replied, `your wave mechanics has contributed so much to mathematical clarity and simplicity that it represents a gigantic advance over all previous forms of quantum mechanics.’
“After a few days of these relentless discussions, Schrödinger fell ill and took to his bed. Even as his wife did all she could to nurse their house-guest, Bohr sat on the edge of the bed and continued the argument. `But surely Schrödinger, you must see…’ He did see, but only through the glasses he had long worn, and he was not about to change them for ones prescribed by Bohr.”
This book is a brilliant and compelling account of the genesis of quantum physics, but it is more than that. In the midst of today’s pervasive cynicism and disorientation, it is an inspiring reminder of what the human spirit is capable of when it devotes itself passionately to the highest aim, that of understanding the truth of our reality.
Rating
Manjit Kumar’s book is a fascinating history of one of the most
fundamental areas of science.Just as the title says, it is a history
of the great debate about the nature of reality with Einstein and
Neils Bohr leading the opposing views. Quantum Mechanics has always
been a fascinating subject for me, mainly because I could never hope
to understand it enough, however much time I spent on it. This
brilliant work takes you through the history of the ideas behind
quantum mechanics from the late 19th century all the way till the
latter half of 20th century.
Manjit Kumar sets the stage slowly as he describes the contributions
of great scientists ranging from Rutherford, Max Planck, Einstein,
Bohr, de Broglie, Pauli, Heisenberg, Dirac and Schroedinger. Their
works are captured along with a short historical background to provide
the context. Then the stage is all set for the great question about
the nature of reality. Bohr and Heisenberg and many others insist that
there is no objective reality. Bohr says: ‘There is no quantum world.
There is only an abstract quantum mechanical description.It is wrong
to think that the task of physics is to find out how nature is.
Physics concerns what we can say about nature.”
On the other hand, Einstein insists on his belief in the existence of
a causal, observer-independent reality. He says: “What we call science
has the sole purpose of determining what is”. Einstein and his
Princeton team produce an ingenious thought-experiment called EPR that
casts a major shadow on the Bohr-Heisenberg view called the
‘Copenhagen Interpretation’. However, for all practical purposes, most
scientists by the mid-20th century accept the Copenhagen view and get
on with their science. Albert Einstein toiled till his death to find a
Unified Field theory from which he hoped to derive the laws of Quantum
Mechanics. But he wasn’t successful.
The book brings out the essence of those exhilarating times in science
when great minds battle year after year on the nature of Reality
amidst two major world wars and the looming threats of fascism and
communism. In spite of their battles for decades, both Bohr and
Einstein were such great human beings, having a great regard and
affection for one another. The other giants like de Broglie, Pauli,
Heisenberg and Schroedinger also show great respect and regard for
their opponents’ views and keep egos and personalities out of the
equation.
Manjit Kumar’s narrative brings out all these essential human
qualities quite vividly. He has a great ability to write. The book is
lucid and delightfully accessible in spite of the difficult subject
matter. I enjoyed reading it immensely. In many ways, it is like a
thriller, as you keep looking for the next thought experiment that
Einstein would come up with to counter Bohr only to find out how the
Copenhagen team overcomes each of these hurdles. I would recommend it
strongly to anyone interested in popular science in general and
Quantum Mechanics in particular.
Rating
I have read many books about the history and basics of quantum theory. I think this book ranks among the very best.
Rating
There are a number of very striking themes and trends in Quantum that other reviewers have not brought out, being dazzled, no doubt, by the swift pacing, tantalizing prose and cliffhanger hooks that Kumar employs so magnificently in Quantum.
First, as someone who has struggled to understand quantum mechanics when it is presented in textbooks as a whole system, I was delighted to find that physicists have the same problem. Even (if not especially) Albert Einstein. By taking us through the history of it, and enjoying the exhilaration of every incremental discovery, theory and step, I find I am really comfortable reading about it, and have no difficulty assimilating it. When you’re along for the ride instead of the textbook, it makes a gigantic difference. Bravo, Kumar.
Second, it became painfully obvious that physics is far more philosophy than science. I felt like the arguments came from my Logic 101 class. Socrates would have enjoyed crossing swords with Bohr. The arguments of the scientists were really basic, philosophical differences of opinion, not the least bit esoteric or idiosyncratic. It seems that medicine is not the only “science” where they tell you to get a second opinion. That was a revelation, and it made physics all that more human.
Third, Quantum confirms a lifelong suspicion that this was and is a young man’s game. It seems that every time things started to get stale, some precocious 26 year old student would come along with a new portion of a theory, and rock the establishment. And then live off that discovery for the rest of his life – winning the Nobel Prize (as almost every one of them eventually did), getting professorships – but never shaking the tree again. In music we would call them one hit wonders. Einstein was about the only one with two hits – brainstorms in 1905 and 1916 – but then, even he couldn’t fathom the totality of quantum physics and never made another major contribution to its progress. By the age of 50 he was calling himself an “old fool”.
So in addition to all the praise heaped on Quantum for its superior exposition, I think it’s a wonderful addition to the discussion of the human condition. Valuable on a number of levels.
What a great book.
Rating
A masterful balance of theory and history, Quantum is an engaging dip into one of the most fascinating streams of modern scientific discovery. The book includes simple, carefully calibrated explanations of the most important theories but does not get bogged down by them. The real story here is the colorful pioneers who explore the mind-boggling terrain that is the quantum world. The author fills his account with insightful portraits, revealing encounters, and one or two hilarious anecdotes which both humanize the major players and illuminate their astonishing genius. His style is accessible but never fritters. In fact, I think this material could be adapted for a marvelous course by “The Teaching Company.” I think I’ll tell them about it.
Rating
Manjit Kumar’s book is a fascinating history of one of the most
fundamental areas of science.Just as the title says, it is a history
of the great debate about the nature of reality with Einstein and
Neils Bohr leading the opposing views. Quantum Mechanics has always
been a fascinating subject for me, mainly because I could never hope
to understand it enough, however much time I spent on it. This
brilliant work takes you through the history of the ideas behind
quantum mechanics from the late 19th century all the way till the
latter half of 20th century.
Manjit Kumar sets the stage slowly as he describes the contributions
of great scientists ranging from Rutherford, Max Planck, Einstein,
Bohr, de Broglie, Pauli, Heisenberg, Dirac and Schroedinger. Their
works are captured along with a short historical background to provide
the context. Then the stage is all set for the great question about
the nature of reality. Bohr and Heisenberg and many others insist that
there is no objective reality. Bohr says: ‘There is no quantum world.
There is only an abstract quantum mechanical description.It is wrong
to think that the task of physics is to find out how nature is.
Physics concerns what we can say about nature.”
On the other hand, Einstein insists on his belief in the existence of
a causal, observer-independent reality. He says: “What we call science
has the sole purpose of determining what is”. Einstein and his
Princeton team produce an ingenious thought-experiment called EPR that
casts a major shadow on the Bohr-Heisenberg view called the
‘Copenhagen Interpretation’. However, for all practical purposes, most
scientists by the mid-20th century accept the Copenhagen view and get
on with their science. Albert Einstein toiled till his death to find a
Unified Field theory from which he hoped to derive the laws of Quantum
Mechanics. But he wasn’t successful.
The book brings out the essence of those exhilarating times in science
when great minds battle year after year on the nature of Reality
amidst two major world wars and the looming threats of fascism and
communism. In spite of their battles for decades, both Bohr and
Einstein were such great human beings, having a great regard and
affection for one another. The other giants like de Broglie, Pauli,
Heisenberg and Schroedinger also show great respect and regard for
their opponents’ views and keep egos and personalities out of the
equation.
Manjit Kumar’s narrative brings out all these essential human
qualities quite vividly. He has a great ability to write. The book is
lucid and delightfully accessible in spite of the difficult subject
matter. I enjoyed reading it immensely. In many ways, it is like a
thriller, as you keep looking for the next thought experiment that
Einstein would come up with to counter Bohr only to find out how the
Copenhagen team overcomes each of these hurdles. I would recommend it
strongly to anyone interested in popular science in general and
Quantum Mechanics in particular.
Rating
Modern Education have been conducted in a way that the philosophical ideas behind the great theories discussed in Physics have been kept away from the standard curriculum at universitats. This book belongs to the few one I have found to be interested (I’m speaking as a Theoretical Physicist) because it not only develops the historical frame in which the theory was created (the base of the theory), but also the debates, the ideas that came first and evolved in the way. All of this discussed in a way that keeps you in the book for hours without you even knowing it. Even if you are an already mastered in the area of the Quantum Physics, or if you are starting it, this book will help you understand many of the ¨why¨ we are always asking. This book can make an excellent supplementary lecture for any student in quantum theory, because it fills the gaps that modern textbooks leave to the students that do not understand why is necessary the change in the classical theory, and how it is made. Quantum Theory is not a complete theory, it still have many holes and weak points upon which the theory is develop, for those interested in research the base of the theory, this book can help you refresh your mind from all the heavy reading and give you a clearer perspective.
Rating
A lot has been written about the Bohr-Einstein debate so when I first saw this book I did not buy it because I was skeptical about what more could be said. On reading other reviews I decided it might be worthwhile.
Many scientists I’ve met are still passionate about the implications of quantum mechanics, Einstein’s criticisms of the theory and Bohr’s responses to those criticisms. Many scientists who are not outwardly enthusiastic about the debate and history seem to have approaches toward science that are influenced by it. (just my opinion). In any case, the subject of this book is fascinating.
Of the books I have read about this topic this one may be the best read.