Quantum Physics: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

by Alastair I. M. Rae (Author)
Key Phrases: Beginner's Guide, John Bell, Mathematical Box

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Few appreciate how deeply quantum physics affects so many aspects of our everyday 21st century world, so Rae's emphasis on the practical impact of abstract concepts is very welcome." -- Professor Sir Michael Berry, Royal Society Research Fellow, Bristol University

"An accessible introduction to the field and assumes no prior knowledge; A comprehensive and up to date review." -- Scientific and Medical Network

"Rae has done an impressive job. Any reader who is prepared to put in a little effort will come away from this book with not only an understanding of the basics of some important practical applications of the theory but also some appreciation of why its conceptual foundations are still the subject of such spirited debate." -- Professor Anthony Leggett, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize for Physics

Product Description
As Alastair Rae points out in his introduction, “quantum physics is not rocket science”. It may have gained a reputation as the theory that no one really understands, but its practical applications are all around us in everyday life. If it were not for quantum physics, computers would not function, metals would not conduct electricity, and the power stations that heat our homes would not produce energy. Assuming no prior scientific or mathematical knowledge, this clear and concise introduction provides a step-by-step guide to quantum theory, right from the very basic principles to the most cutting-edge developments, such as super-fast computers and unbreakable codes, which could soon become reality. Finally, Rae turns to the philosophical questions posed by quantum physics and asks: if Einstein was wrong and God really does play dice, what are the consequences of this for the way we view ourselves and our relation to the world? Written by one of the most respected authors in the field, this authoritative and readable guide will be suitable for anyone wishing to gain a clearer understanding of one of the key scientific discoveries of our time.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oneworld Publications (March 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851683690
• ISBN-13: 978-1851683697
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,845 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The Beginner's Guide - Science Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Book for the Quantum Curious, May 12, 2007

By	Jo Ana Starr "Mind-Body-Spirit" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I don't have a Physics or Math background, and if you'd told me 10 years ago, that I'd buy AND read a book on Quantum Physics, I'd have chuckled. You, of course, would have been right, because I did. I loved it and whipped through it pretty quickly.

I bought this book to learn more about quantum theory. I wanted a book that wasn't going to beat me senseless with heavy theoretical math, physics or formulae. I wanted a more complete understanding of the possibilities that quantum physics theory hints at, which is exactly what I got with this book. This book offers the Open-minded a fascinating overview of some of the more controversial quantum theories, the experiments that "proved" some of them, and what might be just over the horizon for quantum physics and for us.

I found this book really worthwhile, with a positive slant that worked for me. What quantum physics seems to be demonstrating these days, according to the author, is that much of the information that we "knew" to be true, may very well not be. Which really does open up a world of possibility for all of us.

This short meaty book is ideal for the quantum-curious. I highly recommend it.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars QM primer for the pure layman, May 31, 2007

By	Couder "JC" (Belgium) - See all my reviews

In pop science literature on quantum mechanics (QM) this booklet is a bit of an oddity. Rae really does address "beginners", i.e. readers with very little or no background in mathematics and physics. However, unlike most pop science writers he does not shy away from simple mathematics, even though all the math is contained in seperate "math boxes" which one can easily skip without loss of continuity. Rae does an excellent job explaining the basics of QM, but still IMO - given the targeted audience -not as good as J.P. McEvoy and Oscar Zarate's "Introducing Quantum Theory" (Icon Books).

Many readers are probably attracted to this kind of book in search of an explanation of the "weirdness" of QM. Although Rae splendidly epitomizes the many interpretations of QM in the last chapter, there are more comprehensive books out there covering this particular topic, including Rae's own "Quantum Physics: Illusion or Reality?" !

The main strength of this beginners's guide really is the way he explains the many manifestations of QM in our daily lives, from chemistry, power generation and climate change to computing and cryptography. As Rae is the first to admit, in such a short text he can do little else but scratch the surface, but nonetheless his descriptions are very lucid, well illustrated, and above all founded on a deep understanding of the essentials of QM. The biggest miracle of all is perhaps that he manages to convey this essence to readers who otherwise would probably never have dreamed of opening a book containing a single equation.

All in all, the definite primer on QM for the pure layman. For those who already have some background in physics and/or mathematics, the chapters on semiconductors, superconductivity and cryptography are a nice and simple introduction to these vast and fascinating subjects.

PS: my edition does contain two bizarre mistakes: Joule was an English and not a French physicist (p. 9), and Schrodinger was an Austrian and not a German physicist (p. 24). Not that it matters much.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Focuses mainly on quantum effects and applications, June 21, 2007

By	Ivor Bowden (SF Bay Area, California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Focuses mainly on quantum effects and applications. A relatively small book, it's a pretty easy read, though it does get somewhat technical at times. Simplified math is typically put in as optional sidebars. It is written in a fairly straight forward way. I felt it tended to "jump around" a bit, on occasion mentioning an unexplained term or fact, which might or might not be expounded on later, though this was rather minor. It has one chapter on underlying reality interpretations.