‎Physics‎

‎"FRAUNHOFER, JOSEPH.‎

‎Kurzer Bericht von den Resultanten neuerer Versuche über die Gesetze des Lichtes, und die Theorie derselben. - [SPECTROSCOPY AND THE FORMULATION OF THE GRATING EQUATION]‎

‎(Leipzig), 1823. Wrappers blank. Uncut. Extracted from ""Gilberts Annalen der Physik und der Physikalischen Chemie"", Bd. 74, Jahrg. 1823, Achtes Stück, pp. (337-) 378. First and last leaves a bit browned.‎

‎First edition of this importent paper where Fraunhofer analyzed diffration phenomena and interpretet them in terms of a wave theory of light, leading him to formulate the GRATING EQUATION. - ""In the paper in 1823, Fraunhofer revealed his continued invstigation of diffraction gratings. Using a diamont point, he could rule up to 3,200 lines per Parish inch. He continued his study of the effect of oblique reays, developed formulations based on the wave conception, and calculated a revised set of wavelenghts for the major spectral lines. Thus, his earlier observations of the dark lines in the solar spectrum enabled him to make the highly precise measurements of dispersions"" then his ude of the wave theory of light allowed him to derive, with suitable simplifications, the general formulation of the grating equation still in use today."" (Reese V. Jenkins in DSB).‎

Bookseller reference : 39978

‎"FRAUNHOFER, JOSEPH. - SPECTROSCOPY AND THE FORMULATION OF THE GRATING EQUATION.‎

‎Kurzer Bericht von den Resultanten neuerer Versuche über die Gesetze des Lichtes, und die Theorie derselben. (incl. Zusatz).‎

‎Leipzig, Johann Ambrosius Barth, 1823. Without wrappers as issued in ""Annalen der Physik und der Physikalischen Chemie. Hrsg. Ludwig Wilhelm Gilbert"", Bd. 40 (Bd. 74), Viertes Stück. Pp. 337-440 a. 1 engraved plate. (The entire issue offered (Heft 4). Fraunhofer's paper: Titlepage to vol. 40 and pp. 337-378. Clean and fine‎

‎First edition of this importent paper where Fraunhofer analyzed diffration phenomena and interpretet them in terms of a wave theory of light, leading him to formulate the GRATING EQUATION. - ""In the paper in 1823, Fraunhofer revealed his continued invstigation of diffraction gratings. Using a diamont point, he could rule up to 3,200 lines per Parish inch. He continued his study of the effect of oblique reays, developed formulations based on the wave conception, and calculated a revised set of wavelenghts for the major spectral lines. Thus, his earlier observations of the dark lines in the solar spectrum enabled him to make the highly precise measurements of dispersions"" then his ude of the wave theory of light allowed him to derive, with suitable simplifications, the general formulation of the grating equation still in use today."" (Reese V. Jenkins in DSB).‎

Bookseller reference : 43353

‎"FRESNEL, A. (AUGUSTIN). - THE ""SECOND MEMOIR"" OF 1827, FIRST ENGLISH EDITION.‎

‎Memoir on Double Refraction. (From the Mémoires de l'Academie Royale des Sciences d l'Institut de France, tome vii. 1827).‎

‎London, Taylor and Francis, 1852. 8vo. Without wrappers. In: ""Scientific Memoirs, selected from Transactions of Foreign Academies of Science... Edited by Richard Taylor."", Vol. V, Part XVIII. With titlepage to Vol. V. Pp. (151-) 352 (entire part offered). Fresnel's paper: pp. 238-333. Clean and fine. Titlepage with a small faint stamp.‎

‎First appearance in English of Fresnel's famous memoir - the memoir of 1827, his so-called second memoir - in which some of his groundbreaking discoveries concerning light is stated. He applies the concept of transverse waves to double refraction and representing the final construction, in the form of an equation of the fourth degree.In the paper Fresnel also explained the fact,that in some cases of quartz the rotation of polarization is from left to right and in other cases from right to left.. He proposed the term 'helical' to denote the property of rotating the plane of polarization, exhibited by such bodies as quartz. The term 'natural rotatory polarisation' is however, generally used.This memoir contains the first printing of three unpublished memoirs from 1821 and 1822 (Mémoire sur la double refraction.Extrait Read 26. Nov., 1821 - Supplement, presented 22 January 1822 - Second Supplement, presented April 1, 1822. - Explication de la réfraction dans le système des Ondes from ""Bulletin Soc. Philom."", 1821. See Jed. Z. Buchwald ""The Rise of the Wave Theory of Light"", pp. 461-63.‎

Bookseller reference : 47019

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN.‎

‎Mémoire sur la Loi des modifications que la réflexion imprime à la lumière polarisée. (Lu a l'Academie, le 7 janvier 1823). - [FORMULATING FRESNEL'S ""SINE-LAW AND"" FRESNEL'S ""TANGENT LAW""]‎

‎Paris, Crochard, 1831. 8vo. In blank wrappers. In: ""Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Par MM. Gay-Lussac et Arago."", tome 46, Cahier 3. Occassional brownspotting, otherwise fine. Pp. 225-264.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN.‎

‎Ueber das Licht (i.e. French: ""Sur la Lumière"").‎

‎Leipzig, Ambrosius Barth, 1825. 8vo. In contemporary half calf with five raised bands with gilt lettering to spine. In ""Annalen der Physik und Chemie"", 1825, band 3. Entire volume offered. Stamps to verso of title-page and verso of plates. Wear to extremities, especially upper part of spine. Internally fine and clean. (Fresnel:) 89-128" " 303-328 pp. (Entire volume:) 10, 476 pp. + 3 plates.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN.‎

‎Ueber die doppelte Strahlenbrechung.‎

‎(Leipzig, Johann Ambrosius Barth, 1831). In ""Annalen der Physik und Chemie. Hrsg.von Poggendorff"", Bd. 23, Elftes Stück. Pp. 305-560 (entire issue offered). With halftitlepae to vol. 23. Fresnel's paper: pp. 372-434 a. pp. 494-557 a. 1 folded engraved plate.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - ESTABLISHING THAT LIGHT IS A TRANSVERSE WAVE‎

‎Note sur le Calcul des teintes que la polarisation développe dans les lames cristallisées. (+) IIe Note sur la Coloration des lames cristallisées. (+) Addition à la IIe Note insérée dans le Cahier précédent, par M. Fresnel. (+) Note sur les remarque...‎

‎Paris, Crochard, 1821. Contemp. hcloth. Gilt lettering to spine. Weak crack in fronthinge (but still firm). In: ""Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Redigées par MM. Gay-Lussac et Arago"". 448 pp., 1 folded plate. Some browning to htitle, title-page and last leaf, otherwise clean. Fresnel's papers: pp. 102-111, 167-196, 312-315 a. 393-403. Biot, Arago, Ampee: pp. 80-102, 225-258 a. 258-273.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - EXPOUNDING THE WAVE THEORY OF LIGHT.‎

‎Ueber die durch polarisirtes Lichts in homogenen Flüssigkeiten hervorgebrachten Farben. (...der Pariser Academie am 30. März 1818 vorgelegt). (+) Ueber die Reflexion des Lichts. (Der Pariser Academie vorgelegt am 15. Nov. 1819). (2 Mémoirs).‎

‎Leipzig, Johann Ambrosius Barth, 1848. Without wrappers. In ""Annalen der Physik und Chemie. Hrsg. von J.C. Poggendorff"", Ergänzungsbd., Bd. II, Stück 2. Titlepage to Erg-Bd. 2. Pp. 193-368. (The entire issue offered). Fresnel's papers: pp. 304-331, textillustr. a. pp. 332-355, textillustr. A stamp on titlepage and verso of. Clean and fine.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - FORMULATING FRESNEL'S ""SINE-LAW AND"" FRESNEL'S ""TANGENT LAW""‎

‎Mémoire sur la Loi des modifications que la réflexion imprime à la lumière polarisée. (Lu a l'Academie, le 7 janvier 1823).‎

‎Paris, Crochard, 1831. No wrappers. In: ""Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Par MM. Gay-Lussac et Arago."", tome 46, Cahier 3. Titlepage to vol. 46. Pp. 225-336 a. 1 folded engraved plate. (The entire issue offered). Fresnel's paper: pp. 225-264.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - FORMULATING THE GENERAL LAW OF DOUBLE REFRACTION.‎

‎Extrait d'un Mémoire sur la double Réfraction. (Lu à l'Academie des Sciences le 26 novembre 1821).‎

‎Paris, Crochard, 1825. No wrappers. In: ""Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Par MM. Gay-Lussac et Arago."", tome 28, Cahier 3. Titlepage to vol. 28. Pp. 225-336. Fresnel's paper: pp. 263-279‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - ON THE REFRACTION OF LIGHT.‎

‎Explication de la Réfraction dans le système des ondes. (+) Sur l'Ascension des nuages dans l'atmosphere.‎

‎Paris, Crochard, 1819. Contemp. hcloth. Gilt lettering to spine. In ""Annales de Chimie et de Physique"", Tome XXI, 2. Series. 448 pp. a. 1 engraved plates. (Entire volume offered). Fresnel's papers. pp. 225-241, textillustr. and pp. 260-263. Internally fine.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - OVERTHROWING THE CORPUSCULAR THEORY OF LIGHT.‎

‎Mémoire Sur la Diffraction de la lumière, où l'on examine particulièrement le phénomène des franges colorées que présentent les ombres des corps éclairés par un point lumineux. (Memoir on the Diffraction of Light....)‎

‎(Paris, Crochard, 1816) No wrappers. In: 'Annales de Chimie et de Physique', Tome I, Sec. Series, Cahier Mars 1816. With htitle to vol. I. Pp. 225-336 and 1 folded engraved plate. (The entire issue offered). Fresnel's paper: pp. 239-281. The plate shows the diffraction patterns.‎

‎"FRESNEL, AUGUSTIN. - THE ABERRATION OF LIGHT.‎

‎Lettre de M. Fresnel à M. Arago, sur l'influence du mouvement terrestre dans quelques phénomènes d'optique. (+) Note additionnelle à Lettre de M. Fresnel à M. Atago, insérée dans le dernier Cahier des Annales.‎

‎Paris, Crochard, 1818. No wrappers. In: ""Annales de Chimie et de Physique, Par MM. Gay-Lussac et Arago."", tome 9, Cahier 1 a. 3. Titlepage to vol. 9. Pp. 5-112 a. 1 folded engraved plate + pp. 225-336. (The entire issues offered). Fresnel's paper: pp. 57-66 a. pp. 286-287.‎

‎"FRIEDMAN (FRIEDMANN), A. (ALEXANDER). - THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE AND THE CURVATURE OF SPACE‎

‎Über die Krümmung des Raumes. (+) Über die Möglichkeit einer Welt mit konstanter negativer Krümmung des Raumes. (2 papers)‎

‎Berlin, Julius Springer, 1922 a. 1924. 9vo. 2 contemp. hcloth. Stamp on titlepages and free endpapers. In: ""Zeitschrift für Physik"", Bdf. 10 und Bd. 21. IV,413,(1) pp. a. IV,382 pp. (Entire volumes offered). Friedman's papers: pp. 377-386 (Bd. 10) u. pp. 326-332 (Bd. 21). Clean and fine.‎

‎"FRIEDMANN, ALEXANDER (+) ALBERT EINSTEIN.‎

‎Über die Krümmung des Raumes + Über die Möglichkeit einer Welt mit konstanter negativer Krümmung des Raumes [Friedman] (+) Bemerkung zu der Arbeit von A. Friedmann ""Über die Krümmung des Raumes"" (+) Notiz zu der Arbeit von A. Friedmann ""Über die Krümm... - [THE CURVATURE OF SPACE]‎

‎Berlin, Julius Springer, 1922-24. 8vo. 4 contemporary half cloth binding: two in uniform half green cloth and two en uniform grey/blue half cloth. In ""Zeitschrift für Physik"", Bd. 10, 11, 16 & 21. Entire volumes offered. All volumes with stamp to title page and front free end paper, otherwise a fine and clean set. [Friedmann:] Bd. 10: Pp. 377-386" Bd. 21: P.p. 326-332. [Einstein:] Bd. 11:P. 326 " Bd. 16: P. 228.‎

‎"FRIEDRICH, W., P. KNIPPING, MAX v. LAUE. - THE NATURE OF X RAYS AND THE ATOMIC STRUCTURE OF CRYSTALS.‎

‎Inteferenzerscheinungen bei Röntgenstrahlen. (+ M. Laue:) Eine quantitative Prüfung der Theorie für die Inteferenzerscheinungen bei Röntgenstrahlen. (+ M. Laue und F. Tank:) Die gestalt der Interferenzpunkte bei den Röntgenstrahlinterferenzen. (3 pape...‎

‎(Leipzig, Ambrosius Barth, 1913). Without wrappers in ""Annalen der Physik"", Vierte Folge, Bd. 41, No.10. The entire issues offered. Pp. 873-1064 a. 6 plates. Laue's papers: pp. 971-988, pp. 989-1002 a. pp. 1003-1011. With the 5 famous plates in collotype (reproductions of the photographic plates), showing the X-Ray diffraction spectrum of different salt and substances (The ""Laue diagram"").‎

‎These papers represents the first full exposition of Laue's and his co-worker's discovery of the nature of X-Rays. The first two papers were printed the year before in ""Münchener Sitzungsberichte"", but finds their final form here and with the experimental confirmation by Laue and Tank. He showed that the regular spacing of the atoms in a crystal can serve as a grating of the desired precision, and he measures the wave-lenght of the X-rays.That crystals might be the appropriate grating for the X-rays proved to be well founded when Knipping, Friedrich and Tank found experimental confirmation of the theory.""It was in 1895 that Röntgen discovered a new form of radiation, to which, as its nature was so uncertain, he gave the name of the X-ray.....It was not until 1912, when von Laue showed it could be diffracted like ordinary light, that it was recognized with certainty as an ether wave of extremely short wave-lenght.Laue used a crystal for his diffraction grating...The X-ray is therefore identical with with light in respect to its nature, but differs greatly in quality: a state of things which is very favourable to an extension of our general knowledge of such radiations.""(William Bragg in ""The Universe of Light"", pp. 228 ff.).""It was the work of Laue and the experiments done by Friedrich and Knipping on his suggestion that cleared up the nature of X rays once and for all and that, moreover, beautifully demonstrated that crystals are composed of atoms arranged in a regular lattice......As in the case of Röntgen's original discovery, the photographs were extremely convincing. Other researchers immediately were attracted by the new field of X-ray spectroscopy and the discoveries by the Braggs and Mosely soon followed.""(Siegmund Brandt ""The harvest of a Century"", Episode 20, p. 80 ff.).""The awarding of the Nobel Prize in physics for 1914 to Laue indicated the significance of the discovery that Albert Einstein called ""ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN PHYSICS"". Subsequently it was possible to investigate X radiation itself by means of wavelenght determinations as well as to study the structure of the irradiated material. In the truest sense of the word scientists began to cast light on the structure of matter.""(DSB VIII, p. 51).PMM: 406 (the first 2 papers in Münchener Sitzungsberichte).The offered issue of ""Annalen"" contains also an importent paper by P. DEBYE & A. SOMMERFELD: ""Theorie des lichtelektrischen Effektes vom Standpunkt des Wirkungsquantums"", pp. 873-930‎

Bookseller reference : 43821

‎"FRISCH, OTTO ROBERT (+) PETER PRINGSHEIM.‎

‎Über die Intensitätsverteilung im Hg-Triplett 23S1-23P0,1,2 und die mittlere Leuchtdauer der Triplettkomponenten.‎

‎Berlin, Springer, 1931. 8vo. Bound in contemporary half cloth with gilt lettering to spine. In ""Zeitschrift für Physik"", Bd. 67, 1931. Entire volume offered. Library stamp to front free end paper and title page, light wear to extremities. Pp. 169-78. [Entire volume: VIII, 862 pp.].‎

‎First printing of Frisch and Pringsheim's paper on the intensity distribution in the mercury triplet, 23S1-23P0,1,2, and the mean glow period of the triplet components.‎

Bookseller reference : 49700

‎"GABOR, D.‎

‎A New Microscopic Principle. - [THE INVENTION OF HOLOGRAPHY - THE NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 1971]‎

‎(London, Macmillan & Co, 1948). Royal8vo. Bound in contemporary full cloth. In ""Nature"", Vol. 161, 1948. Entire volume offered. Bookplates and library stamp to front free end-papers. Fine and clean. Pp. 777-8. [Entire volume: Pp. 495-1028.].‎

‎First publication of this seminal paper introducing holography for which Dennis Gabor was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1971.""In July 1947 Gabor, assisted by Ivor Williams, began experiments at B.T.H. to establish the principle by using a purely optical model-that is, using visible light instead of electrons-with a mercury vapor lamp as a source of coherent light, to produce the interference photographs of simple two dimensional images. Five months later he was able to show his close confidant Lawrence Bragg his first successful wavefront reconstructions: hazy im ages of simple printed words used as objects. Even when Bragg fully understood the theory, he still stated that it was a miracle it should work. The first public indication of Gabor's success came with a preliminary note to Nature, published on 15 May 1948. The following year he wrote a more complete theoretical treatment, for the Proceedings of the Royal Society, in which he introduced the word ""hologram"" and indicated possible applications in light optics. Among these was the ability, using the same method, to record the data associated with 3-D objects in one interference photograph."" (DSB)‎

Bookseller reference : 47011

‎"GALILEI, GALILEO.‎

‎Dialog über die beiden hauptsächlichsten Weltsysteme, das Ptolemäische und das Kopernikanische. Aus dem Italienischen übersetzt und erläutert von Emil Strauss. - [FIRST GERMAN ""DIALOGUE""]‎

‎Leipzig, B.G. Teubner, 1891. Royal8vo. Contemporary half calf. Some wear to spine. Owners name in ink on title page. Else fine and clean. LXXIX,(5),586,(2) pp. Text illustrated.‎

‎First German edition of Galilei's ""Dialogue"".‎

Bookseller reference : 35746

‎"GALTON, FRANCIS.‎

‎Co-relations and their measurement, chiefly from anthropometric data. - [THE INVENTION OF THE STATISTICAL CONCEPT OF CORRELATION]‎

‎London, Royal Society, 1888. 8vo (210 x 135 mm). In the original printed wrappers. In ""Proceedings of the Royal Society of London"", vol. 45, no. 274. New backstrip (presumably from having been extracted from a binding) The entire issue offered, internally fine and clean. Pp. 135-145. [Entire issue: 99-156].‎

‎First edition Galton’s landmark paper in which he first presented his invention of the statistical concept of correlation.‎

Bookseller reference : 59852

‎"GAMOW, G.‎

‎Expanding Universe and the Origin of Galaxies.‎

‎København, Bianco Luno, 1953. 8vo. In the original printed wrappers. Offprint from ""Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab"", Vol. 27, Number 10. Small tear to front wrapper, otherwise fine and clean. 13 pp.‎

‎Offprint edition of Gamow's important work in his series on the expanding universe in which he combines the direct observations at the present time, from conditions necessary for the formation of protogalaxies, and the theory of the origin of atomic species.‎

Bookseller reference : 48368

‎"GAMOW, G.‎

‎The Evolution of the Universe. - [GAMOW'S ""HYPOTHETICAL UNIVERSE COLLAPSE""]‎

‎London, Macmillan and Co, 1948. Royal8vo. Bound in contemporary full cloth. In ""Nature"", Vol 162, October - December. Ex-libris to front free end-paper and library stamps to title page and first page of index. Fine and clean. Pp. 680-82.‎

‎First printing of Gamow's paper in which his theory of ""Hypothetical Universe Collapse"" is presented.""In 1948 he predicted that all matter in the universe is in a state of general rotation about some distant center"" at the same time he began developing his ideas on the origin and frequency distribution of the chemical elements, postulating that before the ""big bang"" there existed a primordial state of matter, (""ylem"") consisting of neutrons and their decay products, protons and electrons, mixed together in a sea of high-energy radiation-the basic ingredients necessary for the formation of deuterons and heavier, and heavier nuclei as the universe subsequently expanded. Most of the detailed theoretical calculations were carried out by R. Alpher (assisted by R. Herman), which resulted in the well-know Alpher-Bethe-Gamow letter in Physical Review of 1 April 1948-Bethe's name, in one of Gamow's more famous jokes, being added gratuitously to conform to the Greek alphabet. This work also led to the prediction of a residual blackbody radiation spectrum, the remnant from the primordial ""big bang"" corresponding to few degrees Kelvin. This radiation was first detected in early 1965 by A. A. Penzias and R. W. Wilson"" much more definite evidence was found the following year by P. G. Roll and D. T. Wilkinson (in experiments initiated by R. R. Dicke and P. J. E. Peebles) at Princeton University. Cosmological questions concerned Gamow to the end, one of his last investigations being on the possible inconstancy of the gravitational constant and the charge or the electron."" (DSB)‎

Bookseller reference : 46937

‎"GAMOW, G. [GEORGE].‎

‎Zur Quantentheorie des Atomkernes. Mit 5 Abbildungen. - [ALFA-DECAY EXPLAINED]‎

‎Berlin, Julius Springer, 1928. 8vo. Bound in contemporary half cloth with marbled boards and gilt lettering to spine. In ""Zeifschrift für Physik, 51 Band., 1928"", VII, (1), 903 pp.]. (Entire volumeoffered). Library stamp to front free end-paper. A fine and clean copy. [Gamow:] Pp. 204-212..‎

‎First printing of Gamow's seminal paper in which he explained alfa-decay for the first time. By 1928, George Gamow had solved the theory of the alpha decay via tunneling. The alpha particle is trapped in a ""potential well"" by the nucleus. In classic physics, it is forbidden to escape, but according to the then newly discovered principles of quantum mechanics, it has a tiny (but non-zero) probability of ""tunneling"" through the barrier and appearing on the other side to escape the nucleus. Gamow solved a model potential for the nucleus and derived from first principles a relationship between the half-life of the decay, and the energy of the emission. Alpha particles were first described in the investigations of radioactivity by Ernest Rutherford in 1899.Parkinson 507.""One of the first applications of quantum tunneling was by the physicist George Gamow in 1928, soon after the development of quantum mechanics. Alpha particles, which consist of two protons and two neutrons, are emitted by some nuclei. For example, ordinary uranium, 238U, with a lifetime of 4.5 billion years, decays by emitting an alpha particle.For decades alpha decay had presented a problem: the emitted alpha particles seemed to have too little energy to get out of the nucleus. The Coulomb barrier arises from the combined effect of the Coulomb repulsion between the alpha particle and the nucleus (both positively charged) and the nuclear force that attracts the two particles. The energy of the emitted alpha particle is less than the top of this barrier. Classically, the particle would be unable to get out of the nucleus, but it obviously does.Gamow suggested that alpha particles tunnel through the barrier. If so, the half-life of the decay should depend on the width and height of the barrier, and it does: the lower and thinner the barrier, the greater the chance of penetrating it. As the alpha particle's energy increases, the particle sees both a lower and thinner barrier so the probability of getting through increases extremely rapidly. For example, the energies of the alphas emitted by 232Th and 212Po are 4.05 MeV and 8.95 MeV, respectively, while their respective half-lives are 14 billion years and 0.3 millionth of a second. Thus, a factor of about two in energy produces a difference in half-lives of sixteen orders of magnitude (that is, sixteen powers of ten)!"" (Rigden, Building Blocks of Matter: A Supplement to the Macmillan Encyclopedia of , p. 393).‎

Bookseller reference : 45148

‎"GAMOW, G. [GEORGE]. - GAMOW'S ATOMIC MODEL.‎

‎Zur Quantentheorie des Atomkernes. Mit 5 Abbildungen.‎

‎Berlin, Julius Springer, 1928. Without wrappers. In ""Zeifschrift für Physik, 51 Band., Dritte und Viertes Heft. Titlepage to Bd. 51. Pp. 165-308.(Entire issue offered). Gamov's paper: pp. 204-12., textillustr. A stamp on titlepage.‎

‎First printing of Gamow's first major contribution to physics, his theory of alpha-decay.By 1928, George Gamow had solved the theory of the alpha decay via tunneling. The alpha particle is trapped in a ""potential well"" by the nucleus. In classic physics, it is forbidden to escape, but according to the then newly discovered principles of quantum mechanics, it has a tiny (but non-zero) probability of ""tunneling"" through the barrier and appearing on the other side to escape the nucleus. Gamow solved a model potential for the nucleus and derived from first principles a relationship between the half-life of the decay, and the energy of the emission. Alpha particles were first described in the investigations of radioactivity by Ernest Rutherford in 1899.""One of the first applications of quantum tunneling was by the physicist George Gamow in 1928, soon after the development of quantum mechanics. Alpha particles, which consist of two protons and two neutrons, are emitted by some nuclei. For example, ordinary uranium, 238U, with a lifetime of 4.5 billion years, decays by emitting an alpha particle.For decades alpha decay had presented a problem: the emitted alpha particles seemed to have too little energy to get out of the nucleus. The Coulomb barrier arises from the combined effect of the Coulomb repulsion between the alpha particle and the nucleus (both positively charged) and the nuclear force that attracts the two particles. The energy of the emitted alpha particle is less than the top of this barrier. Classically, the particle would be unable to get out of the nucleus, but it obviously does.Gamow suggested that alpha particles tunnel through the barrier. If so, the half-life of the decay should depend on the width and height of the barrier, and it does: the lower and thinner the barrier, the greater the chance of penetrating it. As the alpha particle's energy increases, the particle sees both a lower and thinner barrier so the probability of getting through increases extremely rapidly. For example, the energies of the alphas emitted by 232Th and 212Po are 4.05 MeV and 8.95 MeV, respectively, while their respective half-lives are 14 billion years and 0.3 millionth of a second. Thus, a factor of about two in energy produces a difference in half-lives of sixteen orders of magnitude (that is, sixteen powers of ten)!"" (Rigden, Building Blocks of Matter: A Supplement to the Macmillan Encyclopedia of , p. 393).Parkinson ""Breakthroughs"", 1928 P.‎

Bookseller reference : 45999

‎"GASSIOT, JOHN P.‎

‎An account of Experiments made with the view of ascertaining the possibility of obtaining a Spark before the Circuit of the Voltaic Battery is completed. Received October 11, - Read December 19, 1839.‎

‎(London, Richard and John E., Taylor, 1840). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from ""Philosophical Transactions"" 1840 - Part I. Pp. 183-192, 4 textillustrations. Clean and fine.‎

‎First printing of this importent investigation on the voltaic battery.""In the late 1830s, when Gassiot began his investigations, the identity of static and voltaic seemed likely. But if this were so, voltaic, like voltaic, electricity ought to produce sparks before the circuit was completed. In 1839 (in the paper offered) Gassiot showed that even with a battery of 1,024 Daniell cells bno sparks occurred. But if he used these cells either to charge a bank of nine Leyden jars in conjunction with a circuit interrupter and transformer, he could produce sparks before contact.""(DSB V, p. 292).Ronalds Library Catalogue, p. 193.‎

Bookseller reference : 43595