Talk:Isidor Isaac Rabi

Untitled
I found this quote on Slashdot:

"We gave you an atomic bomb, what do you want, mermaids?" -- I. I. Rabi to the Atomic Energy Commission

Does anyone have some info on it's background, context time of utterance, etc.? Brutulf 09:44, Feb 17, 2005 (UTC)

It looks like the quote may have become a little distorted. The context is basically Rabi defending Oppenheimer against charges of leaking classified information.

http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/history/cold-war/oppenheimer-affair/testimony.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bomb/filmmore/reference/interview/rhodes12.html

The context is that he was defending Oppenheimer in his Security Clearance Trial. It's embarrassing that this page does not mention this?? It's one of the most important episodes in scientific history and Rabi was the bravest, one of the only ones to stare down the ridiculous political hacks who were conducting the witch trial. Here is another account, now that it's been declassified, a link to the actual transcript would probably be good: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/us/transcripts-kept-secret-for-60-years-bolster-defense-of-oppenheimers-loyalty.html. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Codeslubber (talk • contribs) 17:34, 17 February 2019 (UTC)
 * This was done years ago. It is in the article already.  Hawkeye7   (discuss)  21:33, 17 February 2019 (UTC)

Bates college
The Bates College reference probably should be removed, since Rabi neither studied nor taught there. The degree Rabi received from Bates was honorary and was just one of dozens of honorary doctorates he received. There is no reason to feature this one and not the others.
 * Since there are no objections, I have removed the reference.

Pronounciation
Does anyone know how to pronounce his last name? Is it Rah-bye or Rah-bee? 198.20.40.50 23:09, 1 August 2006 (UTC)


 * It's "RAH-bee". 4.131.159.107 (talk) 00:00, 22 October 2008 (UTC)

Gave the atomic bomb to Israel?
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/12/09/science/09nuke.graphic.1200.jpg Revery (talk) 08:39, 30 April 2009 (UTC)

"Who ordered this?"
This famous question may be taken in at least two ways: mystically ("What God set this in order?") or wryly, in imitation of a table of diners at a restaurant ("Which physicist wanted this?"). I'm thinking, from personal experience, of a large party of diners at a Chinese restaurant with many dishes on the menu, and a plate of unrecognized food shows up. What exactly did Rabi mean when he asked this question? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Larrykoen (talk • contribs) 15:05, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

Proton,Deuteron,Neutron Magnetic Moments
I've been looking into the history of the measurement of the neutron magnetic moment. I believe this article rather misrepresents the situation; see the neutron magnetic moment article. Rabi was first to measure the p,d magnetic moments fairly accurately, yes, but these had been measured earlier in 1933-4. The more accurate measurements from the late 1930's were a result of the magnetic resonance techniques developed by Rabi. I would suggest a slight rewrite to suggest that Rabi made accurate indirect determinations of the magnetic moment of the neutron, which was one of the aims of the p and d measurements. The article as it reads now suggests Rabi discovered the p and d magnetic moments, but that is not true. p was by Otto Stern, while d was likely a simultaneous discovery by Stern and Rabi groups. Both groups were after the n magnetic moment with these measurements, I believe.

While I am here, I note that the electric quadrupole moment discovery for the d was actually rather stunning. People were struggling with understanding the nature of the nuclear force at the time, and this discovery was a real breakthrough in that regard. The Rigden book notes this (p. 113, bottom). The nuclear force was not a central force, for one. This article leaves the discovery hanging, without stating why it was so important. Bdushaw (talk) 10:07, 31 January 2015 (UTC)


 * I have revised the article in line with your suggestions. If you can fix up the neutron magnetic moment article, that would be good. Hawkeye7 (talk) 22:17, 31 January 2015 (UTC)


 * Looks good now; I couldn't have written it better myself... :) I've been working on the neutron magnetic moment article over the past few weeks.  I'm about done with it.  Happy to have an objective review of it if you (or anyone) finds themselves with a dull moment.  Meanwhile, the proton magnetic moment article needs quite a lot of work.  (And one wonders if there should not be a deuteron magnetic moment article.)  Bdushaw (talk) 05:26, 1 February 2015 (UTC)

external link?
Would an interview with transcript with Isidor Isaac Rabi from 1986 be useful here as an external link? Focus of conversation is nuclear weapons policy. http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_7E62DED261394CEDBB3A79E9260DB791 (I have a conflict of interest; otherwise I would add it myself.) Mccallucc (talk) 18:20, 23 March 2016 (UTC)
 * ✅ Added. I like external links where the reader can actually see and hear the subject. Hawkeye7 (talk) 21:56, 23 March 2016 (UTC)

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Award of King's Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom
Rabi's award of the British King's Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom is not mentioned in the London Gazette, as honorary awards to foreign nationals do not normally appear (Page 184 of British Gallantry Awards by Abbott and Tamplin confirms this). His eligibility is however confirmed on the official Nobel site, and on page 320 of the Biographical Memoir of Rabi by Norman F. Ramsey published by the National Academy of Sciences, which refers to the award of "Britain's 1948 King's Medal". Hsq7278 (talk) 19:09, 15 December 2018


 * No worries.  Hawkeye7   (discuss)  22:07, 15 December 2018 (UTC)

Missing his famous quote: "Who ordered that?" in reference to the muon.
As of this writing, the article is missing his famous quote: "Who ordered that?" in reference to the muon. See Muon. I recommend adding the quote and story. Any concerns? J Mark Morris (talk) 12:59, 23 January 2019 (UTC)

His Mother's Name
Shouldn't her other name - Janet Teig - be mentioned as well?77.137.14.115 (talk) 07:03, 29 September 2022 (UTC)