Enrico Fermi: The Obedient Genius

ISBN-13: 9781493935314 / Angielski / Twarda / 2016 / 348 str.

Giuseppe Bruzzaniti; Ugo Bruzzo

Opis

This biography explores the years when nuclear physics and elementary particle physics were born, nuclear fission was discovered, the Manhattan project was developed, the atomic bombs were dropped, and the Big Science started. However, it would be impossible to capture the full essence of the atomic age without first understanding the physicist that started it all, Enrico Fermi (1901-1954).Enrico Fermi: The Obedient Genius attempts to shed light on all aspects of Fermi's life (his work, motivation, influences, achievements, and personal thoughts) as well as recreate the great conceptual upheaval that took place in the physical sciences in the first thirty years of the 20th century. Each chapter enables the reader to follow the various threads of Fermi's life and reach a greater understanding the truly obedient genius.This book would enlighten anyone interested in Fermi's work or the scientific events that created the atomic bomb.Key features of the book: * Follows young Enrico Fermi's research itineraries, starting from his first paper in 1921, where he deals with some problems in general relativity, until 1933, when he publishes his fundamental theory of the decay* Analyzes Fermi's research from 1933 to 1954, underlining his involvement in developing the atomic bomb and his central role in the beginning of the Big Science* Provides sections of unpublished notes and letters* Includes a timeline of Fermi's life achievements as well as a separate timeline for the major developments in the field throughout the 20th century* Contains an extensive bibliography and index for easy referenceReview of the Italian edition published in 2007: "This book is by no means light literature, however, it can be useful not only to physics historians and university students, but also to researchers who do their job beginning with unquestioned data: they are not always aware of the toil of those who came before them, between trial and confirmation, error and success." -- Italian Press

Recenzje

"Enrico Fermi: The Obedient Genius is a successful attempt to present Enrico Fermi's work and its context both to specialists and, more broadly, to an informed and engaged public. It opens with a biography of Fermi, from his Italian years to his life in the United States, and then focuses on physics: its developments and Fermi's contributions." (Sofia Talas, Isis, Vol. 108 (2), June, 2017)

"This book covers the life and work of the last great experimental and theoretical physicist, Enrico Fermi, whose name is forever associated with exploiting the nucleus of an atom's power for both peaceful and destructive purposes. ... it serves to illuminate Fermi's indelible contributions to the field of physics. ... Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through professionals and practitioners." (N. Sadanand, Choice, Vol. 54 (2), October, 2016)

Spis treści

Preface to the English Edition.- Preface to the Italian Edition.- The Last Galilean.- 20th Century Physics: 1900-1933.- Enrico Fermi: Research Itineraries 1921-1933.- 20th Century Physics: 1934-1954.- Enrico Fermi: Research Itineraries 1934-1954.- Epilogue.- Appendix A: Chronologies.- Appendix B: Documents.- Appendix C: Background Material.- Appendix D: Enrico Fermi's Bibliography.

Blurb

This biography explores the life and career of the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi, which is also the story of thirty years that transformed physics and forever changed our understanding of matter and the universe: nuclear physics and elementary particle physics were born, nuclear fission was discovered, the Manhattan Project was developed, the atomic bombs were dropped, and the era of “big science” began.

It would be impossible to capture the full essence of this revolutionary period without first understanding Fermi, without whom it would not have been possible.

Enrico Fermi: The Obedient Genius attempts to shed light on all aspects of Fermi’s life - his work, motivation, influences, achievements, and personal thoughts - beginning with the publication of his first paper in 1921 through his death in 1954. During this time, Fermi demonstrated that he was indeed following in the footsteps of Galileo, excelling in his work both theoretically and experimentally by deepening our understanding of the Pauli exclusion principle, winning the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the fundamental properties of slow neutrons, developing the theory of beta decay, building the first nuclear reactor, and playing a central role in the development of the atomic bomb. Interwoven with this fascinating story, the book details the major developments in physics and provides the necessary background material to fully appreciate the dramatic changes that were taking place.

Also included are appendices that provide a timeline of Fermi’s life, several primary source documents from the period, and an extensive bibliography. This book will enlighten anyone interested in Fermi’s work or the scientific events that led to the physics revolution of the first half of the twentieth century.