Time, Space and Things (Canto)

by B.K. Ridley

Book Overview

There are some wonderfully bizarre ideas in physics, and it seems a pity to keep them locked up in small boxes, available only to an esoteric coterie of key holders. Brian Ridley's book sets out to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521484863
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Read Between the Notes

The author seems very adept at bringing to light the fundamental essence of physics knowledge, particularly the unresolved questions. With his help, I was able to pinpoint what appears to be a surviving trace of Aristotle in physics, particularly in wave theory. For some time I've sort of surmised that a wave is actually no more than a pattern or grouping of particles. As such, it is simply an object like any other object. Reading Ridley's book, it is clearly apparent to me that distinguishing between waves and objects has created a difficulty. The soliton is an attempt to reconcile this difficulty. Differentiating it from waves and objects may simply be a persisting affinity for Aristotelian categorization with some Newtonian mechanics mixed in. (Thankfully, it is at least uncorrupted by probability theory?) Opening the discussion of electomagnetic vs mechanical waves, the author states: "But then horrible questions arise. Mechanical waves cannot travel through space devoid of matter. They are a cooperative motion of atoms or molecules, and their velocity is determined by the properties of the matter in which they travel. ... "So what, materially, is vibrating in empty space?" Well, this is rather interesting, you know? I mean, can it be more clear that by creating a philosophical divide between waves and objects, we are presented with such a problem? By recognizing that waves are simply patterns of particles, we escape from this problem, since it is no mystery that objects traverse empty space (if such even exists, at least outside the place reserved for Newton's actual accomplishments). There's also the matter of the anomoly of diffraction of waves (Shroedinger) which, I believe, is hereby resolved. What's next? :-) In any case, my hat's off to Ridley - he's amazing.

An idea rich exciting book!

I'll never forget the excitement I felt when I first read an earlier edition of this book about 8 years ago. I know of no other book of comparable size which surveys so concisely and with such inspiration what physics has to say about the universe. All using little or no mathematics, in less than 200 pages!This book brings to the reader a genuine wonder for the universe we live in. Ridley is very adept at pointing out not only what we understand, but also what we don't. ``Physics is about the simple things of the Universe,'' Ridley begins, and this so true! So many things we can only observe, puzzle over, and not have the slightest idea of how to understand on some deeper level. If you want to know what we do know, and get a glimmer of how much we don't---this is the book for you.I find myself re-reading this book at least once a year, just for the sense of mystery, excitement, and awe it brings to me. I heartily recommend it!

Beautiful Physics

My B.Sc. is in Physics and I don't always wonder why so many people don't seem to know the beauty of Physics. There are so many popular science books out there, but only a few outstanding ones. This small book is so perfect in concepts and so well written that one will be able to ignore his/her own fascination. Ridley writes so well and with so much understanding that you will want to read it again and again for pure and simple enlightment.

Beautiful Physics

My B.Sc. is in Physics and I don't always wonder why so many people don't seem to see the beauty of Physics. There are so many popular science books out there, but only a few outstanding ones. This small book is so perfect in concepts and so well written that no one will be able to ignore his/her own fascination. Ridley writes so well and with so much understanding that you will want to read it again and again -- for pure and simple enlightment!

1st-rate combo of writer's craft & scientific understanding

This deceptively slim volume, while an easy read, is so densely packed as to be nearly impossible to digest in a single reading. Ridley expertly illustrates fundamental concepts in a warm, humor-rich voice that in no way resembles the dusty monotone of the average classroom text. I plan to re-read it many times over.