This book provides a chronological introduction to modern atomic theory, which represented an attempt to reconcile the ancient doctrine of atomism with careful experiments-performed during the 19th century-on the flow of heat through substances and across empty space. Included herein are selections from classic texts such as Carnot's Reflection on the Motive Power of Fire, Clausius' Mechanical Theory of Heat, Rutherford's Nuclear Constitution of Atoms, Planck's Atomic Theory of Matter and Heisenberg's Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Theory. Each chapter begins with a short introduction...

This book provides a chronological introduction to the electromagnetic theory of light, using selected extracts from classic texts such as Gilbert's De Magnete, Franklin's Experiments and Observations on Electricity, and Huygens' Treatise on Light. Particular attention is given to the works of Faraday, Maxwell and Heaviside, scientists who unified the formerly separate disciplines of electricity, magnetism and light. Their electromagnetic theory-developed during the 19th century-would lead to the invention of modern radar, electrical power grids, and telecommunication networks. Each...