Quantum Theory

by Max Planck

Unravel the fabric of reality as these visionary physicists revolutionize our understanding of the subatomic realm. Planck's groundbreaking concept of quantized energy and Bohr's daring atomic model challenge classical notions, unveiling a universe of uncertainty and limitless potential. This captivating journey delves into the paradoxes and probabilities that define our existence, shaping modern science and philosophy. Join the quantum pioneers on a thrilling intellectual adventure that probes the very essence of existence and invites you to question the nature of reality itself.• Explore quantum pioneers Planck and Bohr's revolution in subatomic understanding.• Unveil a universe of uncertainty and limitless potential in the subatomic realm.• Delve into paradoxes and probabilities that shape modern science and philosophy.• Join an intellectual adventure questioning the very essence of existence.• A captivating journey into the fabric of reality and the nature of existence.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2023

About the author

Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck was a German theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918.

Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame rests primarily on his role as originator of the quantum theory. This theory revolutionized human understanding of atomic and subatomic processes, just as Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized the understanding of space and time. Together they constitute the fundamental theories of 20th-century physics.

Reviews

[Ateesh Dwivedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOT: If you’re a scientist, a mathematician, or a deeply curious physics enthusiast, this book is a treasure chest. It’s a chance to step into the minds of giants/geniuses and see how they grappled with ideas that changed our universe (and our understanding of it). But if you’re looking for an accessible introduction to quantum mechanics, you’re better off starting with popular science writers like Richard Feynman or Carlo Rovelli, who explain the same principles without the wall of equations.

This book is nothing short of a milestone in the history of science. Written by two of the greatest minds of the 20th century, Max Planck and Niels Bohr, it dives into the very foundations of quantum mechanics—the framework that still defines how we understand the microscopic world today.

That said, let’s be clear up front: this is not light bedtime reading. Unless you’re scientifically inclined, comfortable with higher mathematics, and genuinely curious about abstract physical theories, you will find it impenetrable. The book is rigorous, dense, and assumes readers already have a strong background in physics. For students, researchers, and the mathematically adept, it’s a brilliant and thought-provoking journey. For the lay reader? It can feel like trying to enjoy a novel written in an unfamiliar language.

Why It Matters

Planck’s Contribution: Planck introduced the concept that energy is not continuous but comes in discrete packets—quanta. This was revolutionary because it shattered the classical idea that energy could vary smoothly, and explained puzzles like blackbody radiation (why objects glow red, then white, as they heat).

Bohr’s Contribution: Bohr extended this idea to atoms, proposing his model of the hydrogen atom. Electrons don’t just orbit randomly; they occupy fixed energy levels, and can “jump” between these levels by absorbing or emitting a quantum of energy (light).

Together, these ideas formed the bedrock of modern quantum theory—without them, there would be no lasers, semiconductors, computers, or even our current understanding of chemistry.

What a Layman Can Take Away

You don’t need to slog through the equations to appreciate the broader insights:

Energy comes in chunks – Nature is not infinitely smooth. At its most fundamental level, it’s made of steps, not slopes.

Atoms are structured worlds – Electrons live in fixed "zones" around the nucleus and move between them in sudden leaps, not gentle slides.

Reality is stranger than intuition – Quantum theory tells us the microscopic world behaves in ways that defy our everyday experience. This is not because it’s wrong, but because our senses evolved for the macroscopic world.

Science is about bold breaks – Planck and Bohr dared to discard centuries-old assumptions, laying a foundation for the physics of the future. Just like the in older religious faiths we kept 'believing' the best we understood that a point of time of how the universe works, we are still on that journey, though much better informed. The journey to the ultimate truth (the true physics OR the true science) is still going on, we are peeling off one layer at a time of the proverbial onion .....till we reach the ultimate truth.

[Arsh Dhawan · Rating 3 out of 5]

bohr seems too wordy. either he was or the editor dumbed it down for normal people.
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