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Introducing Quantum Theory ... YOlJl<NOW, 111G eAGteR 10 eXPL..AIN CXlJANllJM IHeORY 10 AN AE3-GOL..lJ!e E3-i:::etNNeR !HAN 10 A C.L..AGGIC.AL.. PHYGIC.IGI. YOlJ 1Re 1<1171/INe. WHAl1G !HelR PROE3-L..™, IHi:::Ge Cl..AGGICAL.. elJYG, WllH !He MOl/eRN !HeORY:;r The problem is this. Just before the turn of the century, physicists were so absolutely certain of their ideas about the nature of matter and radiation that any new concept which contradicted their classical picture would be given little consideration. Not only was the mathematical formalism of Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and Ja~es Clerk Maxwell (1831-79) impeccable, but predictions based on their theories had been confirmed by careful detailed experiments for 4 many years. The Age of Reason had become the age of certainty!
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Classical Physicists What is the definition of "classical"? By classical is meant those late 19th century physicists nourished on an academic diet of Newton's mechanics and Maxwell's electromagnetism - the two most successful syntheses of physical phenomena in the history of thought. Wl'IHA GIMF'U: INCL..INW F'L..ANt:: AN!/ A Mi::'IAL.. GF'Hi::Rt:: / l. Pi::MO~-r~-ri;:p 'IHA'I 'IHi:: GRi::A-r ARIG'IO'IL..i::1 G F'HYGl.:'.!G WAGFL..AWW. Testing theories by observation had been the hallmark of good physics since Galileo (1564-1642). He showed how to devise experiments, make measurements and compare the results with the predictions of mathematical laws. The interplay of theory and experiment is still the best way to proceed in the world of acceptable science. 5

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Introducing Quantum Theory ...

YOlJl

AE3-GOL..lJ!e E3-i:::etNNeR !HAN 10 A C.L..AGGIC.AL..

PHYGIC.IGI.

YOlJ 1Re 1<1171/INe. WHAl1G !HelR PROE3-L..™, IHi:::Ge Cl..AGGICAL.. elJYG,

WllH !He MOl/eRN

!HeORY:;r

The problem is this. Just before the turn of the century, physicists were so absolutely certain of their ideas about the nature of matter and radiation that any new concept which contradicted their classical picture would be given little consideration.

Not only was the mathematical formalism of Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and Ja~es Clerk Maxwell (1831-79) impeccable, but predictions based on their theories had been confirmed by careful detailed experiments for 4 many years. The Age of Reason had become the age of certainty!

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