Product Description

From quarks to computing, this fascinating introduction covers every element of the quantum world in clear and accessible language. Drawing on a wealth of expertise to explain just what a fascinating field quantum physics is, Rae points out that it is not simply a maze of technical jargon and philosophical ideas, but a reality which affects our daily lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3095 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
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

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

About the Author
Alastair Rae is editor of The European Journal of Physics and was until his recent retirement, Reader in Quantum Physics at the University of Birmingham. His Quantum Mechanics, now in its second edition, has become a standard undergraduate text on the subject, and his book on the philosophical implications of quantum theory, Quantum Physics: Illusion or Reality?, is in its fourth edition and has been translated into six different languages.

Customer Reviews

How quantum devices work.
"Beginners Guide" is about the relevance of quantum physics to everyday technology: semiconductors and transistors; energy sources and greenhouse gases; some not-so-everyday phenomena like superconductivity and SQUIDS; even the cutting edge stuff of quantum computing and quantum encryption. All are explained in terms of a few precisely stated properties of matter at the atomic scale or smaller. The weirdness of wave-particle duality and indeterminacy become accessible with minimal recourse to mathematics.

In successive chapters an insight is given into how materials acquire their large-scale chemical, physical and electrical properties by reason of what is going on at the level of electron, photon or atom. The way these particles are able to act with a concerted weirdness then seems just as reasonable as their bizarre individual behaviour.

The maths would be even easier to follow if more care had been taken with proofreading. Errors are confined mostly to the panels of mathematical details (where parameters annoyingly come and go like quantum particles) but there are also some in the main text.

Historical background is sketchy. We read: "James Clerk Maxwell . . . around 1860 showed the aether postulate was unnecessary". Arguably, it was he who started this entire goose chase; Michelson and Morley were still on the trail in 1887 and famously drew a blank; a kludge was proposed in 1892 by Lorentz; Einstein cleared things up a bit in 1905 - but the hunt ran and ran.

A brief analysis of how quantum indeterminacy might actually come about is presented in a well-argued short chapter at the end. If this stimulates further interest, then get the excellent companion volume Quantum Physics - Illusion or Reality. Both books are rewarding reads.

Quantum Physics
This book is a brilliant read for the beginner the writter gets his points across by refering to other things that everyone understands.
Like the ocean and waves I'm only 19 and found this book very interesting. Amazon delivered it really quick as well as in perfect condition.

The best place to start
If like me you are new to this subject this is a great book to start off with. What can be a very complicated subject is made easy by the relaxed easy to understand writing style of Alistair Rae.