Bibliography

Walther Gerlach. Materie, Elektri-zität, Energie. Die Entwicklung der Atomistik in den letzten zehn Jahren. — Verlag von Theodor Steinkopff. Dresden und Leipzig. 1923, pp. 195.

Walter Gerlach. Matter, electricity, energy. The development of atomistics in the last ten years.

The breadth of content of this interesting little book may be judged from the following list of titles of some of its chapters: II. Isotopy. III. Atomic beams and certain atomistic problems solved with their aid (direct determination of molecular velocities and of the mean free path; experimental detection of the magnetic moment of individual silver atoms). V. Disintegration of the atomic nucleus. VI. The elementary quantity of electricity. VII. Superconductivity. XIV. Expansion of our knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum. XV. Photoelectric effect. XVIII. Analysis of the structure of crystals with the aid of X-rays. XIX. Physical foundations of photochemistry. XX. Luminescence in chemical reactions. XXII. Chemical reactions caused by the impact of electrons. XXV. Atomism and the macrocosm.

The book is written on the basis of an exhaustive knowledge of the literature, and few physicists possess such varied erudition as Gerlach, enabling them to encompass so extensive a field. The development of atomistics over the last ten years has proceeded with stormy intensity (“sprunghaft,” in the author’s words). Physics is penetrating ever more into new areas of chemistry, mineralogy, astronomy, and technology. To find one’s way in the enormous literature is often extremely difficult for the non-specialist. And from this point of view Gerlach’s attempt to present this fascinating field in such a way as to come to the aid above all of the non-physicist—the chemist, biologist, mineralogist, engineer—should be welcomed. Despite the concision and “density” of the exposition, the book is written in the highest degree accessibly. And we are certain that not only the enumerated groups of non-specialist scholars—physicists—but also all students, teachers, and simply educated people will find it of indispensable service in becoming acquainted with the physical science of “the present day.”

E. Shpolsky.