Absolutely Small: How Quantum Theory Explains Our Everyday World

"A true teacher at his best" according to James Best. Professor Fayer utilizes the reflexes and guidance of a supurb teacher in taking the reader from basic quantum concepts to deeper levels, building and expanding as each page turns in a satisfying stepwise process. He takes care to relate quantum theory to our everyday experiences explaining how the mind and body discriminate and interpret quantum effects and actions. Another teaching skill frequently found is Professor Fayer's understanding that students may need their rec. Mr. Alex said This book helps to get a qualitative handle on quantum mechanics. I minored in physics at the university and survived This book helps to get a qualitative handle on quantum mechanics I minored in physics at the university and survived 3 years of it because I was good at math. My courses in physics stopped with Maxwell, so I didn't get into quantum mechanics or relativity. After retiring I decided to keep my mind active by going over my toughest courses that I had taken, essentially analytical mechanics and electricity and magnetism. I had a 1935 edition of Linus Pauling's Quantum Mechanics that my father had used while he was studying for his Ph.D. in . years of it because I was good at math. My courses in physics stopped with Maxwell, so I didn't get into quantum mechanics or relativity. After retiring I decided to keep my mind active by going over my toughest courses that I had taken, essentially analytical mechanics and electricity and magnetism. I had a 19This book helps to get a qualitative handle on quantum mechanics I minored in physics at the university and survived 3 years of it because I was good at math. My courses in physics stopped with Maxwell, so I didn't get into quantum mechanics or relativity. After retiring I decided to keep my mind active by going over my toughest courses that I had taken, essentially analytical mechanics and electricity and magnetism. I had a 1935 edition of Linus Pauling's Quantum Mechanics that my father had used while he was studying for his Ph.D. in . 5 edition of Linus Pauling's Quantum Mechanics that my father had used while he was studying for his Ph.D. in . rickzz said 5 stars for the motivated reader. Echoing other reviews, I liked this book but it's certainly not for everyone. Chapters 1-10 are an excellent primer on basic quantum theory. Chapters 11-15 stars for the motivated reader rickzz Echoing other reviews, I liked this book but it's certainly not for everyone. Chapters 1-10 are an excellent primer on basic quantum theory. Chapters 11-14 on chemistry fundamentals are much more challenging- and a chemistry background would be very helpful. The rest of the book is on "applications" (alcohol, fats, CO2, conductors, etc.)- thankfully, it's not necessary to fully understand chapters 11-14 to appreciate this section.Overall, this is one of the best QM books f. on chemistry fundamentals are much more challenging- and a chemistry background would be very helpful. The rest of the book is on "applications" (alcohol, fats, CO"5 stars for the motivated reader" according to rickzz. Echoing other reviews, I liked this book but it's certainly not for everyone. Chapters 1-10 are an excellent primer on basic quantum theory. Chapters 11-15 stars for the motivated reader rickzz Echoing other reviews, I liked this book but it's certainly not for everyone. Chapters 1-10 are an excellent primer on basic quantum theory. Chapters 11-14 on chemistry fundamentals are much more challenging- and a chemistry background would be very helpful. The rest of the book is on "applications" (alcohol, fats, CO2, conductors, etc.)- thankfully, it's not necessary to fully understand chapters 11-14 to appreciate this section.Overall, this is one of the best QM books f. on chemistry fundamentals are much more challenging- and a chemistry background would be very helpful. The rest of the book is on "applications" (alcohol, fats, CO2, conductors, etc.)- thankfully, it's not necessary to fully understand chapters 11-15 stars for the motivated reader rickzz Echoing other reviews, I liked this book but it's certainly not for everyone. Chapters 1-10 are an excellent primer on basic quantum theory. Chapters 11-14 on chemistry fundamentals are much more challenging- and a chemistry background would be very helpful. The rest of the book is on "applications" (alcohol, fats, CO2, conductors, etc.)- thankfully, it's not necessary to fully understand chapters 11-14 to appreciate this section.Overall, this is one of the best QM books f. to appreciate this section.Overall, this is one of the best QM books f. , conductors, etc.)- thankfully, it's not necessary to fully understand chapters 11-15 stars for the motivated reader rickzz Echoing other reviews, I liked this book but it's certainly not for everyone. Chapters 1-10 are an excellent primer on basic quantum theory. Chapters 11-14 on chemistry fundamentals are much more challenging- and a chemistry background would be very helpful. The rest of the book is on "applications" (alcohol, fats, CO2, conductors, etc.)- thankfully, it's not necessary to fully understand chapters 11-14 to appreciate this section.Overall, this is one of the best QM books f. to appreciate this section.Overall, this is one of the best QM books f

Our intuition about how things should behave is usually right in the everyday world. Like no other book before it, Absolutely Small makes the inherently challenging field of quantum theory understandable to nonscientists, without oversimplifying and without bogging down in complicated math. Through data gathered by our senses and basic knowledge of the laws of classical mechanics, the motion of a ball makes perfect sense.But enter the world of the tiniest particles on earth-the motion of electrons, the shapes of molecules-and everything we think we know about the world radically changes. We see the baseball soar in the air, arc, drop, and lie stationary on the ground. To understand what's really happening in the world around us, to comprehend the mysterious, counterintuitive science of the small, we must take a quantum theory view of nature. Written by an award-winning professor at Stanford University, the book uses clear explanations and real-world examples instead of dense equations to help you understand:Why strawberries are red and blueberries are blueHow particles can change from "mixed states" to "pure states" based solely on observation How a single photon can be in two places at the same timeWhy quantum matter sometimes acts like particles, and other times like wavesWhy a piece of metal will glow red when it is hot, and turn blue when it's even hotterWhat makes salt dissolve in water, while oil does not, and much moreIn the tradition of Stephen Hawking and Lewi