Physics in the 20th Century - Hardcover

Suplee, Curt

4.08

24 ratings by Goodreads

9780810943643: Physics in the 20th Century

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810943646 ISBN 13: 9780810943643

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1999

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Documenting one of the most remarkable flowerings of knowledge in human history, this work describes the experiments and achievements of innovative physicists such as Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrodinger, Hans Bethe and Richard Feynman. The illustrations focus mainly on the dramatic images, from the atomic to the cosmic scale, made possible by the instruments of advanced physics. Also included are photographs of experimental equipment (massive particle colliders are beautiful in their own right) and pioneering inventions.

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Review:

Curt Suplee has produced a large, glossy and richly illustrated coffee-table book which explains the major advances in physics of the 20th century. Most of the book is devoted to describing the greatest advance in physics--the understanding of the atomic, molecular and quantum realms. It also covers the new physics of chaos as well as cosmology. What's intriguing is that it is unclear who likely readers would be. It is an enjoyable read for physicists, but without specialist knowledge much of what is shown would have no meaning at all. For example, a photograph of the machine in which the first Bose-Einstein condensate was formed is impressive, but would it have any meaning at all for the reader who does not know what Bose-Einstein condensate is? Explanations in accompanying text simply do not provide the required amount of illumination for non- specialists. At the price, Physics in the 20th Century would really only be a good gift idea for the serious physicist. --Brian Goodwin

Review:

"Physics makes the world more beautiful. But convincing people with little scientific background of that has been difficult. Now it may become a little easier.... [this] is the most comprehensible authoritative survey of all of physics for unscientific readers. The thrill of intellectual adventure is palpable in the book, and Suplee makes it fairly easy for anyone to see the vast range of this science by showing how its theoretical and experimental discoveries fit together. We arrive at a vision of the entire universe. He does it without equations or misleading analogies, and often with humor....Take a look. The world is more beautiful than you suspected." - The New York Times Book Review

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