‘Zur Theorie des Rotationsspektrums.’ Offprint from: Annalen der Physik. 4th Series, vol. 52. Leipzig: Barth, 1917.

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PLANCK, Max Karl Ernst Ludwig (1858-1947)

‘Zur Theorie des Rotationsspektrums.’ Offprint from: Annalen der Physik. 4th Series, vol. 52. Leipzig: Barth, 1917.

成交價英鎊 630

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PLANCK, Max Karl Ernst Ludwig (1858-1947)
‘Zur Theorie des Rotationsspektrums.’ Offprint from: Annalen der Physik. 4th Series, vol. 52. Leipzig: Barth, 1917.
Very rare first edition, author's offprint issue, of Planck's paper on rotational spectra built upon his earlier groundbreaking work on quantum theory, from the library of pioneering theoretical physicist Arnold Sommerfeld (1868-1951). In 1900, Planck had introduced the theory of energy quantization to explain black-body radiation, which laid the foundation for quantum mechanics. This 1917 paper on rotational spectra extends these quantum concepts to molecular systems, exploring how the rotational energy of molecules is quantized, similar to how Planck had previously quantized the energy of oscillators. This concept was crucial for understanding molecular behaviour and structure, as well as spectroscopic observations. Planck's approach combined statistical mechanics with quantum theory, a methodology that was crucial for the development of quantum statistics and later advancements in the field, including the development of Bose-Einstein statistics. Planck continued this work in a follow-up paper in July 1917 under the same title, which was published in Annalen der Physik, 4th Series, vol. 53, pp.241-256.

Arnold Sommerfeld was a German theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to atomic and quantum physics. He extended Niels Bohr's atomic model by introducing elliptical orbits for electrons and proposed additional quantum numbers, including the azimuthal and magnetic quantum numbers. Sommerfeld also introduced the fine-structure constant, contributed to X-ray wave theory, and co-discovered the Sommerfeld-Wilson quantization rules. His seminal work Atombau und Spektrallinien became a foundational text for the new generation of physicists developing atomic and quantum physics. Sommerfeld was an exceptional educator, mentoring 7 Nobel Prize winners and numerous other prominent physicists. Despite being nominated for the Nobel Prize a record 84 times, he never received the award. Nevertheless, he was honoured with several prestigious accolades, including the Lorentz Medal, the Max-Planck Medal, and the Oersted Medal, and was elected to numerous scientific academies worldwide. In 1918, Sommerfeld succeeded Einstein as chair of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft, and in 1922 Einstein wrote to his successor: ‘What I especially admire about you is that you have, as it were, pounded out of the soil such a large number of young talents’ (A. Pais, ‘Subtle is the Lord...’: The Science and Life of Albert Einstein, 1982). ‘Max Planck in seinen Akademie-Ansprachen‘ in Erinnerungsschrift der Deutschen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin (Berlin, 1948), no. 123.

This author’s offprint can be distinguished from the normal ‘trade’ edition by the statement ‘Überreicht vom Verfasser’ on the wrapper. Extremely rare; we have not been able to trace any copy appearing at auction (RBH/ABSAA).

Octavo (222 x 142mm). Paginated 491-505. Original printed wrappers. Provenance: ink triangle stamp with circle on upper wrapper (possibly the stamp of the wartime German censor) – Arnold Sommerfeld (1868-1951; no sign of provenance).

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‘Zur Theorie des Rotationsspektrums.’ Offprint from: Annalen der Physik. 4th Series, vol. 52. Leipzig: Barth, 1917.

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