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Single Idea 17532

[from 'Physics and Philosophy' by Werner Heisenberg, in 27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 4. Standard Model / a. Concept of matter ]

Full Idea

The first new model of the atom could not explain the most characteristic features of the atom, its enormous stability. No planetary system following the laws of Newton's mechanics would ever go back to its original configuration after a collision.

Gist of Idea

An atom's stability after collisions needs explaining (which Newton's mechanics can't do)

Source

Werner Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy [1958], 02)

Book Reference

Heisenberg,Werner: 'Physics and Philosophy' [Penguin 1989], p.21