Concepts of Mass in Classical and Modern Physics

I am almost finished reading this boo, on the last chapter. As I thought, in the late 1700's the idea of inertial force in mass was lost, and with this the idea of a living universe. But with modern physics, both in relativity and quantum mechanics, mass becomes energy, and takes on new meaning. But once again we are at a crossroads as we were in the late 1700's. Unfortunately, this book does not cover today due to when Max Jammer wrote it, but it does give us a good perspective to help us decide between a living living universe or dark energy and dark matter. I found this book quite helpful in following the concepts if mass through the centuries. Max Jammer is an excellent writer, and although the ideas can get complex or very mathematical at times, his conclusion to each chapter gives a good overall view of what you just travelled through. AJH

Concepts, if you study them carefully, can reveal keys tohow to make progress in our knowledge and understanding. Theyare more than just ideas (related to and involving sense impressions), but they are and can be the meaning of meaningful words. Thus they provide a framework for our thinking and provide directions and perspectives in which to judge our understanding and viewpoints.In science and physics, the concepts (note the author's use of the plural here)of the idea of what a physical, scientifcally observable substance (or mass) is, is a fundamental problem which took humankind centuries, even milleninia in order to get a good and useful epistomological handle on. This book (along with its two companions..Concepts of Space and Force) are gemstones of knowledge in this area. And I find myself in agreement with Dr. Albert Einsteins assessment of the value of the work in his foreword to Concepts of Space . " We rarely find a person who has the philogical and historical training required for critical interpretation and comparison of the source material, which is spread over centuries... I have the impression that Dr. Jammer, has demonstrated and in this case, these conditions are satisfied."

I found this book utterly pedantic and boring. Why would I care what the ancients said about mass, unless as part of a systematic study of the thought of the different philosophers. I found the treatment of Newtonian and relativistic theory labored and lacking in insight. Just study Newtonian mechanics, special relative, and general relativity and you will understand the notion of mass. Also cosmology and dark matter/dark energy.

Great

very well written book on the concept of mass, which is one of the "concept of" series out of many. In one book the entire development of the mass concept is descibed in a narrative form except towards the end when the relativistic mass concept is explained. It starts with ancient thouts and end with Quantum Mechanical concept of the mass, relating each new concept with the previous as it isa developed. Although it is mostly narrative, in order to understand and enjoy the book and history of "Mass" some physics/mathematics background is necessary. I really enjoy this series.

Difficult to read.

This incredible book expands your knowledge about mass, that takes a few days to grasp in the course of elementary physics and it is thorough and ion depth. But it is not an easy reading because of the broad context.

Kann ich nichts zu sagen. War ein Geschenk. Denke der Beschenkte war sehr zufrieden. War ja gewünscht das Buch.

Comme Max Jammer en a pris l'habitude, étude très fouillée et bien documentée (références)du développement du concept de masse.