Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure by Gerhard Herzberg

Description: Amazon Review:An immediate question comes to mind when considering this book - why should one spend time with a physics book that was written in 1933? I like this book because I think that it still holds up because the structure data that it explains is still valid. When this book was written the problem of explaining spectra lines was at the cutting edge of physics and the solution to this problem lay in the newly developed field of quantum mechanics. Today, the problem of spectra lines has largely been superceded by other quantum mechanics problems and the analysis of spectra lines is relegated to a few introductory lines in textbooks or to specialist literature. This book treats the subject as it was in 1933 - the vehicle to understanding how quantum mechanics explains the nature or the electronic structure of an atom. The book is based upon the Bohr atom and explains the origin of the Balmer lines and gives a clear description and explanation of the Zeeman and Stark effects (at least in terms of 1933 QM). The discussions are clear and provide a somewhat more physical interpretation of electronic energy levels than those of more abstract modern theories. It provides a great introduction to atomic spectra and is a great adjunct to more modern approaches.I recommend this book to those who want to understand the origins of quantum mechanics and the origin of spectra lines. While the Bohr atom is largely obsolete, it does provide a physical picture that I find helpful in understanding the nature of the electron energy levels.

Price: 7.52 USD

Location: Floral City, Florida

End Time: 2024-11-15T13:05:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.38 USD