Atomic Physics in the Early Twentieth Century

Abstract

During the eighteenth century France and Great Britain led the world in science. In the nineteenth century marked fluctuations in scientific leadership took place. In the first decades, despite the setbacks related to the French Revolution, France was the leading country in science, particularly in chemistry. In the middle of the century Great Britain took the lead. Then, toward the end of the century, particularly in the last three decades, leadership passed to Germany. Some of the developments in science that took place in Germany, especially in the last part of the century, will be mentioned first. These developments set the stage for the rapid advances made in the twentieth century.