The rising star author of The Physics of Wall Street explores why &;nothing&; may hold the key to the next era of theoretical physics
James Owen Weatherall&;s previous book, The Physics of Wall Street, was a New York Times best-seller and named one of Physics Today&;s five most intriguing books of 2013. In his newest volume, he takes on a fundamental concept of modern physics: nothing. The physics of stuff&;protons, neutrons, electrons, and even quarks and gluons&;is at least somewhat familiar to most of us. But what about the physics of nothing? Isaac Newton thought of empty space as nothingness extended in all directions, a kind of theater in which physics could unfold. But both quantum theory and relativity tell us that Newton&;s picture can&;t be right. Nothing, it turns out, is an awful lot like something, with a structure and properties every bit as complex and mysterious as matter. In his signature lively prose, Weatherall explores the very nature of empty space&;and solidifies his reputation as a science writer to watch.
James Owen Weatherall is professor of logic and philosophy of science at the University of California, Irvine. He lives in Irvine, CA.