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Q IS FOR QUANTUM: An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics
 
 
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Q IS FOR QUANTUM: An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics [Paperback]

John Gribbin (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

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Book Description

0684863154 978-0684863153 February 22, 2000 1st Ed(AsSuch)
THE QUANTUM WORLD FROM A TO Z

Here in one volume, the award-winning science writer and physicist John Gribbin has provided everything you need to know about the quantum world -- the place where most of the greatest scientific advances of the twentieth century have been made.

This exceptional A to Z reference begins with a thorough introduction setting out the current state of knowledge in particle physics. Throughout, Gribbin includes articles on the structure of particles and their interactions, accounts of the theoretical breakthroughs in quantum mechanics and their practical applications, and entertaining biographies of the scientists who have blazed the trail of discovery. In a special section, "Timelines," key dates in our quest to understand the quantum world are mapped out alongside landmarks in world history and the history of science.

An encyclopedia of the fundamental science of the future, Q is for Quantum is an essential companion for anyone interested in particle physics.


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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What's the deal with 20th-century physics? How and why did it get so complicated, so abstract, that even Einstein had trouble believing in it? Most of us need someone to come along and explain it all in words that make sense; fortunately, astrophysicist and science writer extraordinaire John Gribbin has seized that role with a flair and passion unequalled. He has outdone himself with Q Is for Quantum: An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics, 545 pages of definitions, histories, and biographical sketches that illuminate the ever-expanding search for the most basic forces of nature in a style that is at once witty, clear, engaging, and scientifically rigorous. No serious student of modern science (no dilettante, either) should be without it when reading about the greatest intellectual work of our time.

Whether he's explaining the intricacies of quantum chromodynamics or exploring the wild life and ideas of Richard Feynman, Gribbin uses just the right words, illustrations, and even (gasp!) equations to perfectly express the essentials to his interested, intelligent readers. Of special interest are the extensive timelines that close the volume and anchor particular scientists and their achievements within the context of world history; these are both helpful in grasping the development of physics and excellent aids to browsing. So, whether you want to expand your knowledge of modern science or just need a little help on Monday's midterm, Q Is for Quantum is the right book for you. --Rob Lightner --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Written for the lay reader, this work on the complex world of particle physics by British astronomer Gribbin, the renowned author of such popular science books as Schrodinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality (LJ 5/1/95), is well written, informative, and highly accessible. Features include an introductory essay that puts the subject in historical perspective, clearly written entries, a brief bibliography, and time lines showing the birth dates of scientists and key dates in science and history. While physicists and other scientists will find it too basic for their purposes, this affordable one-volume book meets the needs of the general reader, filling a gap in the popular science literature. Recommended for general reference collections in public and academic libraries.?Paul G. Haschak, Southeastern Louisiana Univ., Hammond
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 560 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone; 1st Ed(AsSuch) edition (February 22, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0684863154
  • ISBN-13: 978-0684863153
  • Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,164,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
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 (4)
3 star:
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2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A FIVE STAR TOURIST GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE, November 8, 1998
For all you Douglas Adams fans out there ( The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy) we have now got definitive, non-fictional guides to the Cosmos and the micro-world of Quantum Phenomena.

John Gribbin's latest book "Q is for Quantum" is the perfect companion to his 1996 masterpiece "Companion to the Cosmos".

Gribbin's presents his work in a well illustrated, encyclopaedic (A to Z) style with nearly all topics having hyperlinks to cross-references elsewhere in the book. He puts great emphasis on the human dimension of science as well as on the purely physical phenomena and theories he describes so well. The mini-biographies of the scientists are fascinating in their own right, particularly when looking at the historical context and the geographic, social and academic connections/parallels that have led to these great advances in human thought.

Gribbin guides us along those amazing scientific paths of the past half millennia , from Galileo and Newton to Einstein and Hawking. He has this reader convinced that we are very close to realizing the ultimate dream of a Grand Unifying Theory (GUT) which ties together all the links between the forces of nature. His work is right up to date and includes the latest ideas on M-branes and superstrings.

The best way to read the book is to open it at random , find a topic of interest and see how far the hyperlinks can take you. Bliss for a net-head! The real strength of Gribbin's writing is to help us cover that great spectrum (in time and space) between the sub-atomic microworld of Quantum phenomena through to the edges of the Cosmos. Somewhere in the middle is the human dimension, dare I say, the "real world".

It was our friend Douglas Adams who posed that trickiest of tri-lemmas ... What is the answer to that ultimate question, that is, the Meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything ? He told us ... it is 42 !

John Gribbin's agrees - look up his section on Planck. What is the smallest unit of time? Answer: zero, decimal point, FOURTY TWO zeros, one second.

Before Planck time nothing much happened ... but then again ...

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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Q is for Quintessential Quantum Reference Book, December 10, 1999
This quantum physics encyclopedia is beautifully crafted to be as entertaining as it is informative. John Gribbin is a master at providing an element of human interest to each of the entries in Q IS FOR QUANTUM, along with photographs and illustrations in every place you'd wish for them, in order to further enhance the reading experience. I love browsing through this book any time I have the slightest excuse, and I suspect you will, too!
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality quanta., April 30, 2002
By 
If you read physics popularizations you have noticed (and appreciated) the glossaries that appear in the back of many of these books. If you've wanted a more thorough reference resource for quantum physics terminology -- here it is. Reference texts are not generally going to tempt the reader to start at the beginning and read through the entire volume, but this one will. Gribbin, familiar to many readers of physics books, writes clearly and covers all of the significant developments, personalities, and ideas of particle physics over the past century. An excellent resource, from `Absolute zero' to `Z particles.'
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Abelian group A group of mathematical transformations which can be carried out in any order and still give the same end result. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
experiment with two holes, one strange quark, colour force between quarks, transactional interpretation, absorber theory, quantum entity, quantum pioneers, quantum entities, sum over histories approach, retarded wave, experimental work showing, tau particle, quantum world, quantum algebra, identical quarks, colour charge, ensemble interpretation, detector screen, isotopic spin, quantum interpretations, delayed choice experiment, electroweak theory, multiwire proportional chamber, occupied shell, quantum uncertainty
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein, Big Bang, Second World War, Richard Feynman, New York, United States, Niels Bohr, Manhattan Project, Columbia University, Max Planck, Royal Society, Cavendish Laboratory, Ernest Rutherford, John Gribbin, James Clerk Maxwell, University of California, First World War, Institute of Technology, Paul Dirac, Werner Heisenberg, University of Berlin, Enrico Fermi, Isaac Newton, University of Chicago
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