Q Is for Quantum : An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics [Hardcover]

John Gribbin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 068485578X | ISBN-13: 978-0684855783 | Publication Date: February 19, 1999 | Edition: First Edition

John Gribbin has collected the answer to 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 reference begins with a thorough introduction setting out the current state of knowledge in particle physics. Gribbin blends 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. Q is for Quantum is an essential companion for anyone interested in particle physics.

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

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; First Edition edition (February 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068485578X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684855783
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,260,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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

By 

"hurburgh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Q Is for Quantum : An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics (Hardcover)

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 ...

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

By 

Cynthia Sue Larson "www.realityshifters.com" (San Francisco bay area, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Q Is for Quantum : An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics (Hardcover)

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!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality quanta., April 30, 2002

By 

Wesley L. Janssen (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Q Is for Quantum : An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics (Hardcover)

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.'