Historical and Social Aspects of Physics

Information about the exam

Oral with written preparation, in English (also for Dutch speaking students, but you have the right to demand some weeks in advance that your exam is in Dutch).

Questions

June, 10th 2011

I just write the questions down from my memory, so formulation is not exact, this is how I recall the essence of the questions.

• Many textbooks refer to 1900 as the year of the quantum revolution. Yet even in 1920, most physicists held to classical principles. What describes the advent of the 'revolution' in physics? What was the importance of classical concepts for contemporary physicists to understand quantum physics?

• Social and political aspects had a lot of influence of the development of physics. Show this with two examples.

• The Manhattan project was of huge importance for physics. Explain how this is a hallmark for post-WWII physics.