James Franck

Megan MammengaWhite 3

Mrs. Hawks

Background Information

• Born August 26,1882, in Hamburg, Germany

• Taught in Berlin as associate professor

• Appointed Head of Physics Division-Kaiser Wilhelm University

• Moved family to Baltimore, U.S.A., upon arrival of Nazis.

Background Information

Work in U.S.A.

• Studied conduction of electricity through gases in Germany.

• Contributed some evidence that supported Bohr’s atomic theory.

Work in Germany• Most studies

dedicated to fluorescent colors and vapors.

• 1925-proposed mechanism of photochemical dissociation of iodine molecules.

James Franck

• Proposed principle which was later revised by E.U. Condon.

• Thus, making it known as the Franck-Condon principle.

• 1945-joined group of atomic scientists preparing so-called “Franck Report”

• Urged demonstration of atomic bomb as military weapon.

James Franck (Continued)

• Although this failed plan this is still often used.• Stands as a monument of rejection by scientists.• 1951-received Max Planck Medal of German

Physical Society.• 1953-named honorary citizen by German

university.

James Franck

• When atomic bomb was ready for military, Germany already surrendered.

• Frank & Szilard made petition among scientist opposing rejection.

Continued…

• 1955-received Rutherford Medal from AAAS

• 1964-James Franck elected Foreign Member of the Royal Society.

Continued…

• First married to Ingrid Josefson- 1911• Had two daughters Dagmar and Lisa.• Remarried after wife’s death to Hertha Sponer-

1946• Hertha was a professor at Duke University

Ingrid Josefson

Hertha Sponer

James Franck

• James Franck is often known for:• Exchanges in energy during electron collisions,• Preparing “Franck Report” in 1945,• And the Condon-Frank Principle in 1925.

Franck-Condon Principle

• Electronic transitions occur so rapidly,• Franck said position and momentum of nuclei go

through no apparent change.• Later theory was revised by E.U. Condon making.• Thus making it the Franck-Condon Principle.

James Franck

• James Franck died May 21, 1964 in Germany.

• He was only visiting Germany when he died.

Work Cited• "Nobel Lectures." Elsevier Publishing, Web. 23

Feb 2010. http://nobelprize.org

• gene, dannen. "The Franck Report." Gene Dannen, Web. 23 Feb 2010. http://www.dannen.com/decision/franck.html