Inward Bound: Of Matter and Forces in the Physical World by Abraham Pais (Englis

Description: Inward Bound by Abraham Pais A history of the development of physics in the 20th century, relating events which seemed to be unconnected at the time and exploring the reasons why certain developments took place and what it was like for the scientists involved. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description The history of physics since the discovery of X-rays would be too simplistic a description of this book. Certainly it covers the historical period from the late nineteenth century to the present day, but the book attempts to relate not only what has happened over the last hundred years or so, but why it happened the way it did, what it was like for those scientists involved, and how what, at the time, seemed a series of bizarre or unrelated events, now withhindsight presents a logical narrative. The author, himself a notable physicist and author of the highly successful Subtle is the Lord (Clarendon Press 1982), was personally involved in many of thedevelopments described in the book. As with his previous book, unique insights into the world of big and small physics are to be gained from this major work. Author Biography Abraham Pais is Detlev W. Bronk Professor of Physics at the Rockefeller University and winner of the 1979 J.R. Oppenheimer Memorial Prize. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Table of Contents Purpose and plan; PART I: 1895-1945: A HISTORY; The new rays; From uranic rays to radioactivity; The first particle; Interlude: earliest physiological discoveries; Radioactivitys three early puzzles; Pitfalls of simplicity; ß-spectra 1907-1914; Atomic structure and spectral lines; `It was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; Nuclear physics tender age; Quantum mechanics, an essay; First encounters with symmetry and invariance; Nuclearphysics: the age of paradox; Quantum fields, or how particles are made and how they disappear; Battling the infinite; In which the nucleus acquires a new constituent, loses an old one, reveals new forceswith new symmetries, and is explored by new experimental methods - the 1930s; PART II: THE POSTWAR YEARS: A MEMOIR; Of quantum electrodynamics triumphs and limitations and of a new particle sobering impact; In which particle physics enters the era of big machines and big detectors and pion physics goes through ups and downs; Onset of an era: new forms of matter appear, old symmetries crumble; Essay on modern times: 1960-83; Being a conclusion that starts as epilog and ends as prolog. Review It is rare indeed to find a professional physicist who combines such historical accomplishment, a lucid and refreshing style and a deep and relaxed understanding of his subject matter...Throughout, he provides shrewd and illuminating comments on experimental practice and theory construction and on current theories in the philosophy of scientific discovery. Times Literary Supplementa learned and detailed commentary on what has been discovered about the constituents of matter, the laws to which they are subject, and the forces which act on them. It is a work of real scholarship. New ScientistPaiss mastery of the whole field of elementary particle physics is manifest on every page. In addition, his insight into the personalities of the actors in the story is remarkable ... It is an inimitable work. NatureThe history of "modern" physics has been told many times, although seldom with such insight and affection. Times Higher Education SupplementIn this groundbreaking new volume, Pais undertakes a history of the physics of matter and of physical forces since the discovery of X-rays ... this magisterial survey richly conveys what has been discovered about the constituents of matter, the laws to which they are subject and the forces that act on themeurope & astronomy, 1992 Promotional "A sweeping narrative of the history and present state of atomic physics."--The New York Review of Books Kirkus US Review "In the words of Pogo, we are faced with insurmountable opportunities," says Pais, a physicists physicist at Rockefeller University, as he moves to the conclusion of this majestic tour de force: no less than a scholarly history of a century of physics - a century in which the world of the small got infinitesimally smaller (inward bound), while leaping to the fore to explain how microcosm begat macrocosm. Pais appeared to have read all the primary sources and in the original, since he provides both direct quotes and translations of original conjectures on electrolysis or electromagnetism (as they were first stated by a Farady or Lorentz). Moreover, he proceeds in a style guaranteed to please those of orderly minds: he follows the debaters principles of stating what hes going to do; does it, and then reprises at the end. All along, he provides footnotes and sources so that those interested in a particular period or personality can treasure the data assembled all in one place. The result is a book that soars. Here, in one lengthy volume, is a landscape of physics, peopled by the pivotal characters who were driven to understand how and why the world works; who discovered the nature of the atom, of cosmic forces, of special and general relativity laws (the subject of an earlier Pais volume). Here are the Curies and Rutherford, Roentgen and Becquereel - for starters - to be followed by Bohr and Heisenberg, Schrodinga and Dirac, down to todays grand unified theorists. The point is not to try to summarize what Pals is saying, but the way he is saying it. His approach is to explain physics as a series of conundrums and challenges; of conclusions that are satisfactory for a while, until chaos intervenes and a new order is necessary. In this way, he does great service to the historian of science while at the same time paying homage to technology; for often it is the advent of the better vacuum, the higher energy source, that leads to the new and better explanatory order. This is a book that begins and ends with a sense of movement, of things yet to be queried, yet to be determined. It is an odyssey of physics that is beautifully told and can be appreciated at a variety of levels: from amateur (in the sense of lover) to professional; from student to aspirant for degree. Ones only demurrer would be to have enriched the text with diagrams or art to amplify the technological feats that Pais underscores as pivotal in the progress of physics today. Superphysics. (Kirkus Reviews) Long Description The history of physics since the discovery of X-rays would be too simplistic a description of this book. Certainly it covers the historical period from the late nineteenth century to the present day, but the book attempts to relate not only what has happened over the last hundred years or so, but why it happened the way it did, what it was like for those scientists involved, and how what, at the time, seemed a series of bizarre or unrelated events, now withhindsight presents a logical narrative. The author, himself a notable physicist and author of the highly successful Subtle is the Lord (Clarendon Press 1982), was personally involved in many of thedevelopments described in the book. As with his previous book, unique insights into the world of big and small physics are to be gained from this major work. Review Text It is rare indeed to find a professional physicist who combines such historical accomplishment, a lucid and refreshing style and a deep and relaxed understanding of his subject matter...Throughout, he provides shrewd and illuminating comments on experimental practice and theory construction and on current theories in the philosophy of scientific discovery. Times Literary Supplementa learned and detailed commentary on what has been discovered about the constituents of matter, the laws to which they are subject, and the forces which act on them. It is a work of real scholarship. New ScientistPaiss mastery of the whole field of elementary particle physics is manifest on every page. In addition, his insight into the personalities of the actors in the story is remarkable ... It is an inimitable work. NatureThe history of "modern" physics has been told many times, although seldom with such insight and affection. Times Higher Education SupplementIn this groundbreaking new volume, Pais undertakes a history of the physics of matter and of physical forces since the discovery of X-rays ... this magisterial survey richly conveys what has been discovered about the constituents of matter, the laws to which they are subject and the forces that act on themeurope & astronomy, 1992 Review Quote The history of "modern" physics has been told many times, although seldom with such insight and affection. Times Higher Education Supplement Details ISBN0198519974 Author Abraham Pais Short Title INWARD BOUND Language English ISBN-10 0198519974 ISBN-13 9780198519973 Media Book Format Paperback Illustrations Yes Year 1988 Subtitle Of Matter and Forces in the Physical World Place of Publication Oxford Country of Publication United Kingdom Residence NY, US Birth 1918 Death 2000 DOI 10.1604/9780198519973 UK Release Date 1988-09-15 AU Release Date 1988-09-15 NZ Release Date 1988-09-15 Affiliation Detlev W. Bronk Professor of Physics, Rockefeller University, New York Position Detlev W. Bronk Professor of Physics Qualifications PhD Pages 682 Publisher Oxford University Press Publication Date 1988-09-15 DEWEY 530.09034 Audience Professional & Vocational Imprint Oxford University Press We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 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