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Born
Werner Karl Heisenberg was born on Thursday, December 5, 1901, at 4:45 PM in the Würzburg suburb of Sanderau. [1] -
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Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976)
Life and significant works of German physicist and philosopher Werner Heisenberg Nathan Reinke
American Public University
PHIL202 D003 Summer19
21 Sept 2019 -
Institute for Theoretical Physics and Hydrodynamics
A student of the Institute for Theoretical Physics, headed by Arnold Sommerfeld. Heisenberg focused his studies in the areas of hydrodynamics and quantum atomic physics. He would later write his doctoral thesis on hydrodynamics and deliver his first invited talk at a conference on hydrodynamics in Innsbruck, Germany. [1] -
Quantum Mechanics Theory
In 1925 Heisenberg began developing a theory on quantum mechanics based on the properties which could be observed. [1],[3] This theory was based on position and velocity, which would soon be identified by Max Born as matrices, which would then lead into Erwin Schödinger's wave theory ultimately coming leading into Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. [1],[3] Image [4] -
Uncertainty Principle
"A result of quantum theory is that for example we cannot know a particles position and velocity with arbitrary precision" [2],[7] TED-Ed Uncertianty Principle -
Uranium Project
In the late 1930's - mid 1940's Heisenberg worked with the army and other scientists in a Uranium Project similar to the American allied "Manhattan Project". The purpose of this project was to build nuclear bomb which would be much more powerful than conventional explosives. Heisenberg's efforts are a subject of controversy as to whether he lacked the knowledge to complete the task or if he deliberately sabotaged the efforts knowing the scope of destruction which could be employed. [1],[3],[6] -
Death
Diagnosed with kidney and gall bladder cancer, Werner Karl Heisenberg died peacefully at home in Munich on Sunday, February 1, 1976. [1] -
Works Cited (Images)
[4] Carroll, Sean. “The Many Worlds of Quantum Mechanics”, Web, Feb 11, 2014
https://www.slideshare.net/seanmcarroll/the-many-worlds-of-quantum-mechanics [5] Title Image: https://simplycharly.com/blog/shadow-of-a-doubt-unanswered-questions-about-werner-heisenbergs-wartime-past/ [6] Uranium Project Image:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/nazis-and-the-bomb/ [7] Uncertainty Principle Image: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/10/what-is-heisenbergs-uncertainty-principle -
Works Cited
[1] Cassidy, David C.. "Beyond Uncertainty : Heisenberg, Quantum Physics, and The Bomb", Bellevue Literary Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/detail.action?docID=618947. [2] Orzel, Chad. "What is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?" Web, Sep 16 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQKELOE9eY4 [3] Tetkoff, Ernie. “This Month in Physics History.” @apsphysics, 2019, www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200802/physicshistory.cfm.
