Eight Lectures on Theoretical Physics

by Max Planck

2019 Reprint of 1915 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. In 1909 the great German physicist and Nobel Prize winner Max Planck (1858-1947) delivered a series of eight lectures at Columbia University giving a fascinating overview of the new state of physics, which he had played a crucial role in bringing about. The first, third, fifth, and sixth lectures present his account of the revolutionary developments occasioned when he first applied the quantum hypothesis to blackbody radiation. In the second and fourth lectures Planck shows how the new ideas of statistical mechanics transformed the understanding of chemical physics. The seventh lecture discusses the principle of least action, while the final one gives an account of the theory of special relativity, of which Planck had been an early champion.
These lectures are especially important since they reflect Planck's reconsiderations and rethinking of his original discovery of quantum theory.

Genres: Physics, Science, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Textbooks

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

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

[Hexagia · Rating 5 out of 5]

No he encontrado el libro que acabo de leer en Goodreads por lo que he elegido publicar mi reseña en la obra que más se le asemeja.

En noviembre de 1930 Max Planck pronunció en Berlín la conferencia “Positivismo y mundo externo real”, un mensaje de defensa al realismo racional en filosofía de la ciencia y un claro aviso al creciente panorama cientificista.

¿Empirismo? Racionalismo? Libre albedrío?… ¿Determinismo o indeterminismo? Que tiene que decir Planck al respecto? Si sienten ustedes admiración por los fundadores de la teoría cuántica, disfrutarán sin duda de sus palabras.

La dialéctica de Planck es aplastante, me fascinó hasta el punto de transcribir los mejores puntos de la conferencia letra por letra. Por ello, pueden ahorrarse comprar este libro leyendo las partes más importantes de la conferencia transcritas en el siguiente post.

https://hexagia.wordpress.com/2018/02...

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From this standpoint one can say quite correctly that in the final analysis all processes in nature are reversible."

[Antonio Baclig · Rating 3 out of 5]

In lectures given in 1909 at Columbia, Planck covers basically all of theoretical physics, from thermodynamics to mechanics to special relativity. The lectures are equation heavy, and I often wished for more guidance with them, such as definitions of the symbols. The lectures will be something to go back to as my understanding of the field deepens.

It was cool to read Planck's derivation of h, then realize "hey, that's Planck's constant!", then realize, "oh, that's why they call it Planck's constant .."

[Sneh Pradhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epochal lectures by the father of quantum mechanics , this series covers a plethora of topics from the laws of mechanics , the atomic theory of matter , the theory of equilibrium , the equations for monoatomic and polyatomic gases , the theory of relativity et al . Inundated with a lot of equations , absolutely essential though largely incomprehensible to the general public . (P.S. Great to revisit the derivation of Planck's constant , it's now i know why 'h' is called Planck's constant , after all !!! )

[Bob Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

These lecture give wonderful insight into Planck's seminal contributions to modern physics, notably his introduction of the quantum. Planck was a gifted lecturer, and this collection is an excellent example of his talent.

[Marco Bitetto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exquisitely written work...
It presents the then known physics of
the day of Max Plank. It is definitely
readable and understandable by anyone
that has at least a High School
Education.

[Kumail]

hi

[Naeem Rezghi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has anyone a link for downloading this book?

[Asran]

asran

[Arkar Kyaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Planck wanted to de-anthropomophize nature and science so much that ends up alienating human from nature. RIP.