Synopses & Reviews
From Galileo's famous experiments in accelerated motion to Einstein's revolutionary theory of relativity, the experiments recorded here trace the evolution of modern physics from its beginnings to the mid-20th century. Brought together for the first time in one volume are important source readings on 25 epochal discoveries that changed man's understanding of the physical world. The accounts, written by the physicists who made them, include:
Issac Newton: The Laws of Motion
Henry Cavendish: The Law of Gravitation
Augustin Fresnel: The Diffraction of Light
Hans Christian Oersted: Elecromagnetism
Heinrich Hertz: Electromagnetic
James Chadwick: The Neutron
Niels Bohr: The Hydrogen Atom,
and 17 more.
Morris H. Shamos, Professor Emeritus of Physics at New York University, has selected and edited the first published accounts of these important experiments, and has also added numerous marginal notes that amplify and clarify the original documents. Moreover, the first 19 experiments can be readily re-created by students in a first-year physics course, making the book ideal for classroom and laboratory work as well as individual reference and study.
Finally, Dr. Shamos has provided revealing biographical sketches of the scientists and illuminating references to the political and cultural milieu in which the discoveries are made. The result is a superbly readable presentation — accessible to the layman — of the crucial theoretical and empirical breakthroughs that altered the course of modern science.
Synopsis
25 crucial discoveries: Newton’s laws of motion, Chadwick’s study of the neutron, Hertz on electromagnetic waves, more. Original accounts clearly annotated.
Synopsis
Starting with Galileo's experiments with motion, this study of 25 crucial discoveries includes Newton's laws of motion, Chadwick's study of the neutron, Hertz on electromagnetic waves, and more.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Accelerated Motion-GALILEO GALILEI
3. Boyle's Law: Pressure-volume Relations in a Gas-ROBERT BOYLE
4. The Laws of Motion-ISAAC NEWTON
5. The Laws of Electric and Magnetic Force-CHARLES COULOMB
6. The Law of Gravitation-HENRY CAVENDISH
7. The Interference of Light-THOMAS YOUNG
8. The Diffraction of Light-AUGUSTIN FRESNEL
9. Electromagnetism-HANS CHRISTIAN OERSTED
10. Electromagnetic Induction and Laws of Electrolysis-MICHAEL FARADAY
11. Lenz's Law-HEINRICH LENZ
12. The Mechanical Equivalent of Heat-JAMES JOULE
13. Electromagnetic Waves-HEINRICH HERTZ
14. X-Rays-WILHELM K. ROENTGEN
15. Natural Radioactivity-HENRI BECQUEREL
16. The Electron-J. J. THOMSON
17. The Photoelectric Effect-ALBERT EINSTEIN
18. The Elementary Electric Charge-ROBERT A. MILLIKAN
19. Induced Transmutation-ERNEST RUTHERFORD
20. The Neutron-JAMES CHADWICK
Appendix
1. The Electromagnetic Field-JAMES CLERK MAXWELL
2. The Quantum Hypothesis-MAX PLANCK
3. The Theory of Relativity-ALBERT EINSTEIN
4. The Hydrogen Atom-NIELS BOHR
5. The Compton Effect-ARTHUR COMPTON
Index