Introducing Quantum Theory: A Graphic Guide to Science's Most Puzzling Discovery

by Oscar Zárate, J.P. McEvoy, J.P. McEvoy

Book Overview

Quantum theory confronts us with bizarre paradoxes which contradict the logic of classical physics. At the subatomic level, one particle seems to know what the others are doing, and according to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1840468505
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Icon Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.6" x 0.5" x 4.7"

Customer Reviews

The contradiction of classic physics explained (the one with the cat that is half dead half alive).

Quantum theory is the abstract solution to the problem of the quantities and states of energy on the quantum scale (subatomic levels) in a system. Quantum theory is proved using a form of mathematics called `quantum mechanics'. Quantum theory and mechanics verified subatomic systems for the first time at the start of the 20th century. Atomic models are brand new things Classical physics since Newton was preoccupied by macro forces and the theory of light. Maxwell unified the forces of electricity and magnetism into electromagnetism and so the study of waves and particles was the first clear quantum in physics that required further explanation. During early research into quantum results with experiments in light and heat combinations, investigations produced anomalies which contradicted what was known to classical physics at this time. This eventually required the development of an almost completely independent and totally new branch of science to explain the phenomena. In the early years it remained completely outside of the box of modern physics but was about to become a whole new way to explain more about the world we live in. Quantum theory is the kind of result you would expect of a young Isaac Newton who chose to explore the micro instead of the macro full time. While Newton had investigated light and lent much to the development of the procedures that discovered quantum theory it was quantum theory that was eventually going to shed light on light. Quantum theory can be better understood as the solution to a series of problems occurring in classical physics experimentations. The most major of these problems was the discovery of black bodies which absorb radiation without reflection. There are no perfect black bodies. To see it some light must emit back. An example would be an oven burning inside you can peep through a whole and see what is being reflected while the oven absorbs the radiation. Planck eventually explained why this reflected radiation doesn't burn our eyeballs out when we see it by devising and proving Planck's constant. Boer would take this constant and improve it with spectrums of chemical compounds, proving subatomic properties. Schrodinger developed the theory of the motions of subatomic particles called quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is thus the mathematical description of the states particles and waves. Core criteria: The Solvay conference (1927) Brussels The first law of thermodynamics is the conservation of energy. The entropy (heat transfer from one body to another) of an isolated system always increases reaching a maximum at thermal equilibrium (same temperature). Maxwell's theory of kinetic gases. Initial random position and velocities of molecules. Heat is generated by motion of atoms. Equipartition of energy theorem - energy equally shared at thermal equilibrium. Black body radiation and the ultraviolet catastrophe Planck's constant and quantum size Photoelectric effect Spectra effects Hydrogen fre

Quantum theory in a nutshell - more than meets the eye

I own and studied quite some books on this topic. Among them the real works with math and all. This one little Introducing book sums it all up. It's fun, it's understandable, and a very good introduction. The concepts are so deep, that the book explains more than you initially assume. It is a good overview to read once again after a deep study in some specialized topic. Even interesting and necessary to have for a physicist therefore, as well as for any interested newcomer. This is definitely a musth-have!

An Absolute Must for a Fundamental Understanding

The "Introducing" and "Beginners" series of texts in the last decade, has paved the way for readers to understand, at least on a fundamental level, highly complex schools of thought on a wide variety of subjects. From Analytical philosophy to Semiotics and Modernism to Post Modernism, readers curious about these subjects now have the opportunity to at least grasp basic tenets and general theories, enabling a solid foundation or spring board to venture into further study. Unfortunately for some, these texts appear infantile, at least in appearance, because they are illustrated in a comic book style, peppered with dubious humour, and so basic, that those `expert' in these subjects believe, at least on a surface level, that they do more harm than good. In other words, this is an effort at mere trivialization of a known serious subject. In my view, this is no more than intellectual snobbery, as these books have indeed paved the way for students interested in complex subjects to grasp their basic tenets and graduate to specific and more sophisticated study. For those not acquainted with Quantum Theory, this text is a must for those interested in further study. It begins with a basic explanation of classic physics and gently brings the reader forward in the subjects fascinating evolution to present day. We are introduced to the theories of Max Planck and his Pre-Atomic Model of Matter. Albert Einstein's theories are explained and expanded upon, along with the "Quantum Hero" of quantum theory, Neils Bohr. We are guided through the theories of these physics giants, Heisenberg, Schrödinger and Wolfgang Pauli with his Anomalous Zeeman Effect, Electron Spin and the Exclusion Principle. These titles seem daunting, but author, J.P. McVoy and illustrator, Oscar Zarate, present these theories in translucent terms and easy-on-the-eye visuals, ensuring the penny drops for all of us. There are two notions in Quantum theory that has always puzzled me. These are the `wave-particle duality and so-called `no-locality' theory where, almost magically, at the sub atomic level, a single particle seems to be "aware" of what the others are doing. In other words, there is an action and corresponding reaction, transcending the speed of light. This text adequately explains these theories and have made them much more comprehensible than ever before. As an introduction to Quantum Theory, this text is an absolute must for the curious reader or serious student.

Great Stuff

This book sets out to provide a comprehensible, informal introduction to quantum theory. It does just that. The format could almost be described as a "science comic book." It's a readable and understandable survey of the experiments which led the big names of the time (Bohr, Einstein, Dirac, Pauli, Heisenberg and some others) to develop the theory. The book follows the story up to the challenge of non-locality. (What a cliff-hanger that is!) If you're technically oriented and want to begin to understand the subject - to get past the conceptual difficulties - you'll find this book really useful.

Great little book

I already had the Introducing Logic book, which I thought was excellent, so I thought I'd try this one too in the series. I certainly never thought I'd see a book on quantum physics that was as good as this one done in such a cartoon-like style. I really liked the Introducting Logic book, and I wasn't disappointed with this one either. It presents the many strange and even paradoxical phenomena of quantum physics in a clear and concise way, and the illustrations are a fun and amusing way of keeping the reader's attention while helping to further the reader's understanding of the concepts. Even presented in such an engaging way, however, they're still not easy. Quantum physics is just not very intuitive and you just have to get used to that fact, but this book will give you a basic understanding of the area without too much cognitive anguish and serious brain strain. After reading this book, if you're interested in further material, the late, great Richard Feynman's book, QED, is still the best introduction for the non-specialist. It contains almost no math and Feynman uses mainly spatial concepts to illustrate and explain quantum electrodynamics in a less mathematical, more intuitive way with his usual wit, enthusiasm, and style. The concepts are explained clearly and concisely in a way that is accessible to the layman and non-physicist. After reading this book, if you're interested in a more mathematical treatment, I would recommend the R.I.G. Hughes book, The Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Theory. It uses a little calculus, but mostly sticks to presenting the mathematics of quantum linear algebra, vector spaces, tensors, and matrix theory as developed by David Hilbert specifically for use in quantum mechanics. It's much more technical than Feynman's book but will give you a much better understanding of quantum mechanics in terms of the mathematical theory.