The Quantum Theory of the Atom

Original published in 1926, this book presents a detailed account of quantum theory from its beginnings onwards. The text opens with a historical account of the quantum theory from its inception by Planck, and is followed by a full treatment of the dynamical theory evolved by Bohr and his school during the following ten years to explain the phenomena of line spectra. Some chapters are devoted to a general description of optical and X-ray spectra and their significance in the problem of the atomic structure of the elements. It closes with an account of work on the reaction of the atom to radiation fields. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in quantum theory and the history of science.1. The origin of the quantum theory; Planck's radiation formula; 2. The nuclear theory of the atom; Bohr's theory of the hydrogen spectrum; 3. The correspondence principle; the photo-electric effect; Einstein's deduction of Planck's formula; 4. The adiabatic principle of Ehrenfest; the stationary states of a periodic system; 5. General dynamical theory; 6. Contact transformations; the Hamilton-Jacobi differential equation; 7. The use of angle variables; multiply periodic systems; 8. The relativity theory of the fine structure of the hydrogen lines; electron in a central field; 9. The Stark effect; 10. The Zeeman effect; 11. The series spectra of the elements; 12. The multiple structure of series lines; theory of the Ritz formula; 13. Arc and spark spectra; excitation of lines by electrons or radiation; 14. X-ray spectra; 15. Absorption spectra and absorption edges; Bohr's table of the atomic structures of the elements; 17. Band spectra in the infra-red; 18. Band spectra in the optical region; molecular rotation and specific heat; 19. The Keplerian orbit; the Delaunay elements; 20. The astronomical theory of perturbations and atom mechanics; 21. General perturbation theory; 22. The effect of electric and magnetic fields on the spectra of elements of higher atomic number. Recent developments of the quantum theory: the doublet theories of Sommerfield and Lande; the dispersion theory of Kramers; the quantum-kinematics of Heisenberg; Index of authors.