Overview
- Summarizes the classical physics necessary to understand quantum theory
- Explains both classical and quantum theory of electromagnetic radiation’s interaction with matter
- Traces the historical leap from classical to quantum physics in a way that is accessible to students
Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Physics (SpringerBriefs in Physics)
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Table of contents (6 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
The book is about the transition from classical to quantum mechanics, covering the historical development of this great leap, and explaining the concepts needed to understand it at a level suitable for undergraduate students. The first part of the book summarizes classical electrodynamics and the Hamiltonian formulation of classical mechanics, the two elements of classical physics which are crucial for understanding the classical to quantum transition. The second part loosely traces the historical development of the classical to quantum transition, starting with Einstein’s 1916 derivation of the Planck radiation law, continuing with the Ladenburg-Kramers-Born-Heisenberg dispersion theory and ending with Heisenberg’s magical 1925 paper which established quantum mechanics. The purpose of the book is partly historical, partly philosophical, but mainly pedagogical. It will appeal to a wide audience, from undergraduate students, for whom it can serve as a preparatory or supplementary text to standard textbooks, to physicists and historians interested in the historical development of science.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Jaroslav Zamastil is an Associate Professor of theoretical physics at Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. He teaches courses on undergraduate quantum mechanics, quantum electrodynamics, and field-theoretical methods in many-body problems. He conducts research in atomic and mathematical physics, and has published about 30 original scientific papers. His previous book, Quantum Mechanics and Electrodynamics, co-authored with Jakub Benda, was published in Czech (Nakladatelstvi Karolinum, 2016) and in English (Springer, 2017).
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Understanding the Path from Classical to Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Jaroslav Zamastil
Series Title: SpringerBriefs in Physics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37373-2
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-37372-5Published: 28 July 2023
eBook ISBN: 978-3-031-37373-2Published: 27 July 2023
Series ISSN: 2191-5423
Series E-ISSN: 2191-5431
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XII, 61
Topics: Quantum Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics