Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You: Understanding the Mind-Blowing Building Blocks of the Universe

Chown, Marcus

ISBN 10: 057131502X / ISBN 13: 9780571315024

Editore: Faber & Faber, 2014

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Gut/Very good: Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit wenigen Gebrauchsspuren an Einband, Schutzumschlag oder Seiten. / Describes a book or dust jacket that does show some signs of wear on either the binding, dust jacket or pages.

Codice articolo M0057131502X-V

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You: Understanding the Mind-Blowing Building Blocks of the Universe
• Editore: Faber & Faber
• Data di pubblicazione: 2014
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 057131502X
• ISBN 13: 9780571315024
• Rilegatura: Brossura
• Condizione: very good

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

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?

Marcus Chown, the bestselling author of What A Wonderful World and the Solar System app, explains all with characteristic wit, colour and clarity, from the Big Bang and Einstein's general theory of relativity to probability, gravity and quantum theory.

'Chown discusses special and general relativity, probablity waves, quantum entanglement, gravity and the Big Bang, with humour and beautiful clarity, always searching for the most vivid imagery.' Steven Poole, Guardian

Recensione

A readable account of special and general relativity, probability waves, quantum entanglement, gravity and the Big Bang. (Oxford Times)

Chown's guide to Quantum theory aims to inform the reader, in non-jargonistic language, about our "Alice In Wonderland universe" where the most extraordinary things go on ... Chown succeeds in persuading us that physics is fun. (Sunday Herald)

The analogies and metaphors used in the second part to help the reader grasp the paradoxes and counter-intuitive nature of relativity are for the most part excellent . . . The step-by-step explanations lead the reader gently but surely to E=mc², black holes, antimatter and the curvature of space-time. The argument has a logical progression and ends up - in a rather elegant circle - with a presentation of the need for a quantum theory of gravity . . . If you know nothing about it and feel you won't be able to even start to understand the science, read Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You: you might be pleasantly surprised. As an entry-level introduction to two greatest theories of modern physics, Marcus Chown's presentation is accessible, readable and concise. (The Bookbag.co.uk)

Chown knows how to make his subjects entertaining ... informative. (Good Book Guide)