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Abraham Pais

Abraham Pais Biography

Physicist

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“I introduce the subject of fine structure with a mini-calendar of events. ... Winter 1914-15. Sommerfeld computes relativistic orbits for hydrogen-like atoms. Pashcen, aware of these studies, carefully investigates fine structures, .... January 6, 1916. Sommerfeld announces his fine structure formula, citing results to be published by Paschen in support of his answer. February 1916. Einstein to Sommerfeld: "A revelation!" March 1916. Bohr to Sommerfeld: "I do not believe ever to have read anything with more joy than your beautiful work." September 1916. Paschen publishes his work, acknowledging Sommerfeld's "indefatigable efforts.”

PhysicsFine Structure ConstantHistory Of Physics
Book:Inward Bound: Of Matter and Forces in the Physical World
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“Some years ago John Kenneth Galbraith wrote in an essay on his efforts at writing a history of economics: 'As one approaches the present, one is filled with a sense of hopelessness; in a year and possibly even a month, there is now more economic comment in the supposedly serious literature than survives from the whole of the thousand years commonly denominated as the Middle Ages ... anyone who claims to be familiar with it all is a confessing liar.' I believe that all physicists would subscribe to the same sentiments regarding their own professional literature. I do at any rate.”

WritingYearsBelieveWholeAgeScienceLiteratureI BelieveEffortHistoryEconomicMiddleSeriousMonthsThousandApproachYears AgoEconomicsClaimsFilledRateFamiliarLiarsSentimentsCommentThousand YearsHopelessnessEssaysPhysicistMiddle AgesConfessingKenneth
Author:Abraham Pais
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“There is not a soul on Earth who can read the deluge of physics publications in its entirety. As a result, it is sad but true that physics has irretrievably fallen apart from a cohesive to a fragmented discipline. ... It was not that long ago that people were complaining about two cultures. If we only had it that good. today.”

PeopleIfsLongTwoSoulTodayEarthScienceCultureResultsDisciplineComplainingPhysicsFallenLong AgoSelf DisciplinePublicationSad But TrueEntiretyFragmentedDelugeTwo Cultures
Author:Abraham Pais
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