This book provides a chronological introduction to modern atomic theory,
which represented an attempt to reconcile the ancient doctrine of
atomism with careful experiments--performed during the 19th century--on
the flow of heat through substances and across empty space. Included
herein are selections from classic texts such as Carnot's Reflection on
the Motive Power of Fire, Clausius' Mechanical Theory of Heat,
Rutherford's Nuclear Constitution of Atoms, Planck's Atomic Theory of
Matter and Heisenberg's Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Theory.
Each chapter begins with a short introduction followed by a reading
selection. Carefully crafted study questions draw out key points in the
text and focus the reader's attention on the author's methods, analysis
and conclusions. Numerical and laboratory exercises at the end of each
chapter test the reader's ability to understand and apply key concepts
from the text. Heat, Radiation and Quanta is the last of four volumes in
A Student's Guide through the Great Physics Texts. The book comes from a
four-semester undergraduate physics curriculum designed to encourage a
critical and circumspect approach to natural science while at the same
time preparing students for advanced coursework in physics. This book is
particularly suitable as a college-level textbook for students of the
natural sciences, history or philosophy. It might also serve as a
textbook for advanced high-school or home-schooled students, or as a
thematically-organized source-book for scholars and motivated
lay-readers. In studying the classic scientific texts included herein,
the reader will be drawn toward a lifetime of contemplation.
