The two towering achievements of modern physics are quantum theory and Einstein's general theory of relativity. Together, they explain virtually everything about the world we live in. But, almost a century after their advent, most people haven't the slightest clue what either is about. Did you know that there's so much empty space inside matter that the entire human race could be squeezed into the volume of a sugar cube? Or that you grow old more quickly on the top floor of a building than on the ground floor? And did you realize that 1% of the static on a TV tuned between stations is the relic of the Big Bang? These and many other remarkable facts about the world are direct consequences of quantum physics and relativity. Quantum theory has literally made the modern world possible. Not only has it given us lasers, computers and nuclear reactors but it has provided an explanation of why the sun shines and why the ground beneath our feet is solid. Despite this, however, quantum theory and relativity remain a patchwork of fragmented ideas, vaguely understood at best and often utterly mysterious. They have even gained a reputation of being beyond the understanding of the average person. Author Marcus Chown emphatically disagrees. As Einstein himself said, "Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone."
If you think that the marvels of modern physics have passed you by, it is not too late. In Chown’s capable hands, quantum physics and relativity are not only painless but downright fun. So sit back, relax, and get comfortable as an adept and experienced science communicator brings you quickly up to speed on some of the greatest ideas in the history of human thought.
Albert Einstein was one of the principal founders of the quantum and relativity theories. Until 1925, when the Bose-Einstein statistics was discovered, he made great contributions to the foundations of quatum theory. However, after the discovery of quantum mechanics by Heisenberg and wave mechanics by Schrodinger, with the consequent development of the principles of uncertainty and complementarity, it would seem that Einstein's views completely changed. In his theory of the Brownian motion, Einstein had invoked the theory of probability to establish the reality of atoms and molecules; but, in 1916-17, when he wished to predict the exact instant when an atom would radiate - and developed his theory of the A and B coefficients - he wondered whether the "quantum absorption and emission of light could ever be understood in the sense of the complete causality requirement, or would a statistical residue remain? I must admit that there I lack the courage of my convictions. But I would be very unhappy to renounce complete causality", as he wrote to his friend Max Born. However, he wrote later to Born that quantum mechanics "is certainly imposing", but "an inner voice tells me that it is not the real thing ... It does not bring us closer to the secret of the 'Old One'. I, at any rate, am convinced that He is not playing at dice". At the 1927 and 1930 Solvay Conferences on Physics in Brussels, Einstein engaged in profound discussions with Niels Bohr and others about his conviction regarding classical determinism versus the statistical causality of quantum mechanics. To the end of his life he retained his belief in a deterministic philosophy. This highly interesting book explores Einstein's views on the nature and structure of physics and reality.
"Simple Nature" is an introductory physics textbook for engineering and physical science students. There is a new edition of this book as of May 2008, which includes two new chapters: a review chapter and a chapter on optics. The former chapter 12, on quantum mechanics, is now chapter 13.
What do Terry Pratchett, Jackson Pollock, Star Trek, and Velcro have in common?
They are all invoked by science writer Jennifer Ouellette to shed vibrant new light upon some of the most revolutionary scientific developments in the history of mankind. The Addams Family Values illustrate Newton's laws, Back to the Future demonstrates the finer points of special relativity, and Jeannette Winterson's novel Gut Symmetries provides an elegant metaphorical framework for string theory. Combining anecdote, analogy, and colourful historical details with literature, art, and music, Black Bodies and Quantum Cats is witty and entertaining proof that physics is not arcane or even very scary, but is instead an exciting human endeavour - and a fundamental part of our everyday world. I recommend this book to all lovers of true life and nature - physics- around us :) - stovokor
