Carl Friedrich von Weizscker Major Texts in Physics [Paperback]

This book presents a collection of texts by the German physicist and philosopher Carl Friedrich von Weizs?cker (1912-2007), for use in seminars on the history, epistemology and structure of physics. Most texts appear in English for the first time. Weizs?cker became famous through his works in physics, mainly in the early development of nuclear physics. Later he would also become well known as a philosopher and analyst of contemporary culture. Texts include the original publications of the Weizs?cker-Bethe formula of nuclear masses and the Bethe-Weizs?cker cycle, which explains the source of energy in the sun; both were developed by Bethe at the same time and independently of Weizs?cker. Further texts deal with Weizs?ckers explanation of the origin of planets, his explanation of the time arrow in Statistical Mechanics and his analyses of Quantum Mechanics and the structure of physics in general.

Introduction.- On Elementary Transmutations in the Interior of Stars. Paper II.- The Formation of the Planetary System.- The History of Nature, Introduction.- The Second Law and the Difference between Past and Future.- A Sketch of the Unity of Physics.- Quantum Theory.- Probability and Abstract Quantum Theory.- The Philosophy of Alternatives.- Matter and Consciousness.- Matter, Energy, Information

Texts by one of the most important physicists of the 20th century, available in English for the first time
Selection of essential texts for use in studies of the history and epistemology of physics
Original texts as a source of further discussions on the foundations of quantum mechanics and the structure of physics

NL