|
 
$15.95
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
More copies of this ISBNThe Quantum Zoo: A Tourist's Guide to the Neverending Universeby Marcus Chown
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments: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. Review:"Chown (The Universe Next Door) admirably takes on the task of elucidating two of the most commonsense-defying concepts in modern science: quantum mechanics and relativity. He divulges the mysteries hidden in the very building blocks of matter, piques reader curiosity with every question and then satisfies it using language that is light, companionable and full of wonder. From why tables are solid when atoms contain lots of empty space, to the fact that gravity isn't a real force and you age faster the higher up you are, Chown touches on the intriguing consequences of quantum mechanics and relativity. The success of any popular science book about these unfathomable realities hinges upon the deployment of metaphor and imagery; in this, the author stands out. Readers who want to know what the big deal is about quantum mechanics but want to avoid more nitty-gritty examples (such as black body radiation) will find a clear window into the utter strangeness that defines our universe. (Apr.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) Review:"This unique hybrid of memoir and science writing offers a remarkably intimate portrait of a British neuroscientist confronted with the tangible experience of modern science. McKernan was working for a major pharmaceutical company when her father became ill with a mysterious infection, and she repeatedly draws on her scientific training as she describes her father's illness and eventual death, taking refuge in the knowledge of what biology and neuroscience can now explain while wrestling with the questions still left unanswered. As a memoirist, McKernan holds nothing back, sharing her experiences both as a devoted daughter and as a scientist; the result is hugely compelling, nimbly shifting back and forth from micro to macro (she juxtaposes, for instance, a biological description of cell necrosis with the emotional consequences of watching a loved one slip away day by day). A reader will turn the last page with a clear sense of what modern science can tell us about life, death and consciousness, but the knowledge almost seems incidental; what sticks most is the nuanced and wrenchingly real experience of loss that no amount of scientific knowledge can buffer. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.) Synopsis:Chown ("The Universe Next Door") admirably takes on the task of elucidating two of the most commonsense-defying concepts in modern science: quantum mechanics and relativity. Synopsis: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. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
Other books you might like
Related Aisles
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
Follow us on...
|
||||||||||
Don't Miss
