During the first half of the twentieth century, Niels Bohr was a central figure in the development of quantum physics and its applications, from the successful modeling of atoms to the anticipation of nuclear weapons. Between the World Wars, Bohr’s institute in Copenhagen was the epicenter of quantum theory, and the “Copenhagen Interpretation” of quantum physics became its standard explanation. But is it a satisfactory description of physical reality? Einstein didn’t think so! With a minimum of mathematical context, this course will examine the important ideas in the development of quantum physics that were argued in the personal interactions of Bohr with colleagues that included (among others) Albert Einstein and Werner Heisenberg, as well as some more recent ideas about quantum reality.
Class Recordings:
Class 5 - March 3 - Recording Unavailable