A. BOUTARIC. La Physique moderne et l’électron, 2e édition revue et augmentée, Pr. Alcan, 1935, 331 pp., figs. Nouv. Coll. scient. Dir. Emile Borel. Fr. 20.

A. BOUTARIC. Modern Physics and the Electron.

The book appeared in 1935. The cover states that this is the second, completely revised edition. But in reading the book one cannot escape the impression that the book is twenty-five years late. The exposition and selection of material are extremely old-fashioned, and the book gives not even a remote idea of contemporary physics. It is perfectly obvious that after the discoveries of the last decade a book on physics cannot be reworked; it must be written anew.

The book consists of four sections.

I. General properties of the electron.

In vain would the reader seek in this section indications of the wave nature of the electron or of Heisenberg’s uncertainty relations. Instead he will find in it information on Ehrenhaft’s work on sub-electrons and elementary images. Poincaré’s remarks on Lorentz’s analysis of the electron are presented in a way that invites the reader to part company with the latter. Several paragraphs on new particles—neutrons and positrons—are attached in a purely mechanical fashion; they convey only the most elementary information.

II. Sources of electrons.

An extremely antiquated account of the photo- and thermionic emission of electrons, as well as of radioactive β-decay.

It is characteristic that only 3 pages are devoted to the latter. There is absolutely no mention of the new results obtained in this field by quantum mechanics. There is not even any indication that β-decay leads to a conflict with the law of conservation of energy.

III. The Role of the Electron in Modern Physics.

The author did not go beyond an elementary exposition of the ideas of Bohr’s atom. It is characteristic that, alongside Bohr’s model, the long-disproved Thomson model is presented.

In setting forth the electron theory of metals, information about new ideas is given only in the notes. Evidently the author considered it sufficient revision to insert a few remarks where what is in fact at issue is a gigantic revolution in views and enormous new results.

The chapter on the wave nature of the electron looks very meager. It gives the impression that the author is acquainted only with de Broglie’s original work and has remained outside the modern development of the theory.

IV. The Application of Electrons.

In this section, outdated data are given on the application of electrons in technology.

One can only be surprised that such a book should have appeared in France, whose author has failed to notice the revolution in modern physics that has taken place before our eyes and has not understood its significance.

Yu. Rumer, Moscow