THE QUANTUM POSTULATE AND THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF ATOMIC THEORY [1].

By Prof. N. BOHR, For. Mem. R.S.

Nature 121, 580-590 (1928)
Supplement to “Nature,” April 14, 1928.

CONTENTS

[ 1. QUANTUM POSTULATE AND CAUSALITY.]
[ 2. QUANTUM OF ACTION AND KINEMATICS.]
[ 3. MEASUREMENTS IN THE QUANTUM THEORY.]
[ 4. CORRESPONDENCE PRINCIPLE AND MATRIX THEORY.]
[ 5. WAVE MECHANICS AND QUANTUM POSTULATE.]
[ 6. REALITY OF STATIONARY STATES.]
[ 7. THE PROBLEM OF THE ELEMENTARY PARTICLES.]

ABSTRACT

IN connexion with the discussion of the physical interpretation of the quantum theoretical methods developed during recent years, I should like to make the following general remarks regarding the principles underlying the description of atomic phenomena, which I hope may help to harmonise the different views, apparently so divergent, concerning this subject.

[1] The content of this paper is essentially the same as that of a lecture on the present state of the quantum theory delivered on Sept. 16, 1927, at the Volta celebration in Como. For a summary of the theory just previous to the development of the new methods the reader is referred to a lecture of the author, “Atomic Theory and Mechanics,” published in this periodical (NATURE, 116, 809; 1925). The rapid development which has taken place since has given rise to a considerable number of publications. The present paper is confined to a few references to recent articles which have a special bearing on the subject now under discussion.