Book

Niels Bohr: The Life and Legacy of the Influential Atomic Scientist

2018

Synopsis

Sticky, flaky pastries injected with generous dollops of custard or fruit fillings. The iconic, brightly colored building blocks better known as Lego bricks. The scenic Nyhavn, a picturesque waterfront and entertainment district featuring a variety of traditional vessels and multicolored houses that color the reflections of the canal's glass-like surface. These are only a few of the plentiful fruits that have blossomed on Danish soil, and they demonstrate some of the many reasons why Denmark has been crowned among the top three happiest countries in the world (out of 155 nations surveyed) for seven consecutive years and counting.

The Danes have incorporated a system that prizes a balance between work and play, the concept of “hygge,” solid investments made towards the treatment of mental illness, and a stellar welfare model. That has helped ensure that an endless stream of intellectuals, inventors, creative legends, and pioneers have hailed from Denmark over many centuries, from classical scholar Ada Adler to fabled 16th century astronomer Tycho Brahe. One of the most famous, and important, is Niels Bohr, a world-famous physicist and one of the patriarchs of quantum theory. Given the vibrant, peaceful haven that is Denmark today, it’s somewhat ironic that Bohr played an instrumental role in the development of the atomic bomb. Even so, the truth and depth of the matter, much like the self-professed pacifist himself, is far more complex.

Niels Bohr: The Life and Legacy of the Influential Atomic Scientist examines the life and work that made Bohr one of the 20th century’s most important scientists. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Bohr like never before.

Suggested Reading

Niels Bohr and the Philosophy of Physics: Twenty-First-Century Perspectives

The sixteen contributions in this collection by some of the best contemporary philosophers and physicists writing on Bohr's philosophy today all carefully distinguish his subtle and unique interpretation of quantum mechanics from views often imputed to him under the banner of the “Copenhagen Interpr...

Uncertainty: Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the Struggle for the Soul of Science

Werner Heisenberg’s “uncertainty principle” challenged centuries of scientific understanding, placed him in direct opposition to Albert Einstein, and put Niels Bohr in the middle of one of the most heated debates in scientific history. Heisenberg’s theorem stated that there were physical limits to w...

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you accept our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.