The Quantum Universe: (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does)International bestselling authors Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw's fascinating, entertaining, and clear introduction to quantum mechanics In The Quantum Universe, Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw approach the world of quantum mechanics in the same way they did in Why Does E=mc2? and make fundamental scientific principles accessible-and fascinating-to everyone.The subatomic realm has a reputation for weirdness, spawning any number of profound misunderstandings, journeys into Eastern mysticism, and woolly pronouncements on the interconnectedness of all things. Cox and Forshaw's contention? There is no need for quantum mechanics to be viewed this way. There is a lot of mileage in the "weirdness" of the quantum world, and it often leads to confusion and, frankly, bad science. The Quantum Universe cuts through the Wu Li and asks what observations of the natural world made it necessary, how it was constructed, and why we are confident that, for all its apparent strangeness, it is a good theory. The quantum mechanics of The Quantum Universe provide a concrete model of nature that is comparable in its essence to Newton's laws of motion, Maxwell's theory of electricity and magnetism, and Einstein's theory of relativity. |
Contents
What Is a Particle? | |
Everything That Can Happen Does Happen | |
Movement as an Illusion | |
The Music of the Atoms | |
The Universe in a Pinhead and Why We Dont Fall Through the Floor | |
Other editions - View all
The Quantum Universe: (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does) Brian Cox,Jeff Forshaw Limited preview - 2012 |
The Quantum Universe: (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does) Brian Cox,Jeff Forshaw No preview available - 2013 |
The Quantum Universe: Everything that Can Happen Does Happen Brian Cox,Jeffrey Robert Forshaw No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
allowed energies branching rules calculate cancel chapter clock associated clock hand cluster of clocks compute conduction band corresponding cube described diagrams distance doubleslit experiment Einstein Einstein’s Theory electric electron wave emitted energy levels equal equation exactly Exclusion Principle explain Feynman Figure find the particle force going gravity happens Heisenberg Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle Higgs particles holes hydrogen atom idea illustrated imagine inside interact light located lowest energy mass mathematical means measurement momentum move neutron nucleus o’clock orbit Pauli Exclusion Principle Pauli principle physicists physics picture Planck’s constant position possible potential precise predict pressure propagation proton ptype region quantum mechanics quantum particles quantum theory quarks represented result Richard Feynman shrinking simply sine waves single slits speed spin square standing waves things tiny transistor trapped Uncertainty Principle understand Universe valence band water waves wave packet wavefunction wavelength white dwarf star wind