Nuclear Physics

by Werner Heisenberg

From the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who developed the famous uncertainty principle, Nuclear Physics provides an in-depth look at the study of the atom. The book was compiled from a series of Heisenberg's lectures on the subject, and it is detailed and accessible enough for anyone interested in the subject. Heisenberg begins with a short history of atomic physics before delving into the theory of the processes and reactions within the atom. Nuclear Physics is an essential book to understanding the atom, giving readers an unparalleled look at nuclear physics from one of the greatest scientific minds of the twentieth century. A controversial WWII figure, Werner Heisenberg was a German physicist. Born in 1901 to an academic family, Heisenberg was interested in scientific and philosophical pursuits from a young age. After graduating from the University of Munich, where he studied under physicist Arthur Sommerfield, Heisenberg went on to establish a career in the study of atomic and particle theory. He won the Nobel Prize in 1932 for his Uncertainty Principle. Heisenberg was one of the top German scientists during World War II, and he worked as the director of the German Uranium Project developing an atomic bomb for Germany. He did not succeed in this effort, however, before the end of the war. He was incarcerated from 1945-46 for his role in the Nazi regime, but in the '50s and '60s, Heisenberg continued to contribute his research to the field of nuclear physics. He retired in 1970 and resided in Munich until his death in 1973.

Genres: Science, Physics, Nonfiction, History

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

Werner Heisenberg (AKA W. Heisenberg) was a German theoretical physicist who made foundational contributions to quantum mechanics and is best known for asserting the uncertainty principle of quantum theory. In addition, he made important contributions to nuclear physics, quantum field theory, and particle physics.

He won the 1932 Nobel prize in physics "for the creation of quantum mechanics, the application of which has, inter alia, led to the discovery of the allotropic forms of hydrogen".

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a walk down memory lane for me. The author, creator of the uncertainty principle, writing 65 years ago when I was in high school physics, gives an overview of that which was known about nuclear physics before the construction of the really giant accelerators of today.
The annoying thing today is our discovery that we are only even aware of just 5% of the matter and energy comprising our universe. The dark mater and dark energy are the big deal now.
I certainly despair that I will not live to learn anything about the 95%.

[Kyle Gumm · Rating 3 out of 5]

To begin with, this review does not reflect the work in this book. I read this book because I got it for free, and I can appreciate how well-written and informative it was. However, I know nothing about physics and am not that interested in it (I also don’t read much in this genre), so the book just wasn’t for me. I had no clue what the author was talking about more than half the time.

[Trent Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the science has developed significantly since when this book was published, it still provides a very accessible introduction to the early foundations of nuclear physics, and the history of its development.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read that gives a historical overview of nuclear physics from the perspective of the mid 20th century. If you would like a good, but dated overview this will work, and while you won't have the full story of the nucleus, the historical way of looking at things is interesting to see.

[Neermukta Rathore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book

[Jess SQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Perfect refresher for preparing to take Atomic Physics at my Institute this spring.

[Lee Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it gave a very good introduction to nuclear physics and went into sufficient detail on the aspect of nuclear transmutations of elements. It is also interspersed with a nice run down of the history of nuclear physics and an appendix briefly outlining the German war effort to create a nuclear pile. Being dated in the 50's this book obviously pre-dates the discovery of quarks but does mention the nuclear forces and that there must be some reason for them.

[Arman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good introduction to nuclear physics as it contains a lot of clear explanations by Werner Heisenberg for the few main equations and ideas of the subject at its early years.I recommend it to everyone as a beginning step.