Braunschweig, Friedrich Vierweg & Sohn; Berlin, J. Springer, 1924. 8vo (22.8 x 15.4 cm). 17 pp. Original printed wrappers.

First use, description, and definition of the term "quantum mechanics", the mathematical description of quantum physics, "a fundamental theory in physics which describes nature at the smallest scales of energy levels of atoms and subatomic particles. Classical physics, the physics existing before quantum mechanics, describes nature at ordinary (macroscopic) scale. Most theories in classical physics can be derived from quantum mechanics as an approximation valid at large (macroscopic) scale.Quantum mechanics differs from classical physics in that energy, momentum, angular momentum and other quantities of a bound system are restricted to discrete values (quantization); objects have characteristics of both particles and waves (wave-particle duality); and there are limits to the precision with which quantities can be measured (uncertainty principle)" (Wikipedia, after Feynman et al., The Feynman Lectures on Physics). Written by the German-born (from 1939 on British) physicist and Nobel Prize winner Max Born (1882-1970). Contained in the famous Zeitschrift für Physik, volume 26(6), pp. 379-395. The complete issue, in its original wrappers. Original issues are much rarer than (dis)bound volumes. Some very slight marginal fraying and minimal spotting at fore edge of front wrapper. A fine, clean copy.