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The Theory of Quantum Mechanics
In July 1925, Heisenberg published the first in a series of three papers that cumulatively described his theory of quantum mechanics. He had created a new form of mathematics called matrix algebra in order to describe the workings of the smallest particles in the universe. Despite this, the theory was based solely on observed phenomenon in the form of measured radiation. Heisenberg was somewhat of a mix between an empiricist and a pure mathematician.
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Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle
In Heisenberg's 1927 paper he detailed his uncertainty principle, a rule that states it is impossible to have exact knowledge of a particle's position and momentum at the same time. The act of observing and measuring one inherently changes the value of the other, making perfect knowledge about the particle impossible. This theory goes against the idea of causal determinism by suggesting that events on the quantum scale occur in a manner that is impossible to understand or predict precisely. -
Study of Atomic Nuclei Mechanics
Leveraging his earlier work on the uncertainty principle, Heisenberg made a study of nuclear interactions. In his set of three 1932 papers, Heisenberg described the forces experienced by protons and neutrons when forced into close proximity within the nucleus of an atom. Heisenberg's work would later be expounded upon and renamed the strong force, now known to be one of the four fundamental forces in our universe. -
Discussions on God and Science
Though Heisenberg was always known to be a religious man, he did not often express his catholic beliefs until his later years. In one address he gave near the end of his career, Heisenberg countered an argument Einstein had long had against quantum mechanics. Einstein believed that if quantum interactions are random and unknowable, then perfect causality is inherently broken. Heisenberg disagreed, saying that God alone can know every particles information, therefore god preserves causality.