From the bestselling author of The Theoretical Minimum, a DIY introduction to the math and science of quantum mechanics. First he taught you classical mechanics. Now, physicist Leonard Susskind has teamed up with data engineer Art Friedman to present the theory and associated mathematics of the strange world of quantum mechanics. In this follow-up to the New York Times best-selling The Theoretical Minimum, Susskind and Friedman provide a lively introduction to this famously difficult field, which attempts to understand the behavior of sub-atomic objects through mathematical abstractions. Unlike other popularizations that shy away from quantum mechanics' weirdness, Quantum Mechanics embraces the utter strangeness of quantum logic. The authors offer crystal-clear explanations of the principles of quantum states, uncertainty and time dependence, entanglement, and particle and wave states, among other topics, and each chapter includes exercises to ensure mastery of each area. Like The Theoretical Minimum, this volume runs parallel to Susskind's eponymous Stanford University-hosted continuing education course. An approachable yet rigorous introduction to a famously difficult topic, Quantum Mechanics provides a tool kit for amateur scientists to learn physics at their own pace. Read more

The instant New York Times bestsellerQuanta and Fields, the second book of Sean Carroll’s already internationally acclaimed series The Biggest Ideas in the Universe, is an adventure into the bare stuff of reality.   Sean Carroll is creating a profoundly new approach to sharing physics with a broad audience, one that goes beyond analogies to show how physicists really think. He cuts to the bare mathematical essence of our most profound theories, explaining every step in a uniquely accessible way.   Quantum field theory is how modern physics describes nature at its most profound level. Starting with the basics of quantum mechanics itself, Sean Carroll explains measurement and entanglement before explaining how the world is really made of fields. You will finally understand why matter is solid, why there is antimatter, where the sizes of atoms come from, and why the predictions of quantum field theory are so spectacularly successful. Fundamental ideas like spin, symmetry, Feynman diagrams, and the Higgs mechanism are explained for real, not just through amusing stories. Beyond Newton, beyond Einstein, and all the intuitive notions that have guided homo sapiens for millennia, this book is a journey to a once unimaginable truth about what our universe is. Read more

An easy-to-follow guide to introductory physics, from the Big Bang to relativityAll science, technology, engineering, and math majors in college and university require some familiarity with physics. Other career paths, like medicine, are also only open to students who understand this fundamental science. But don’t worry if you find physics to be intimidating or confusing. You just need the right guide! In Physics I For Dummies, you’ll find a roadmap to physics success that walks you through every major topic in introductory physics, including motion, energy, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, relativity, and more. You’ll learn the basic principles and math formulas of physics through clear and straightforward examples and instruction, and without unnecessary jargon or complicated theory. In this book, you’ll also find: Up-to-date examples and explanations appearing alongside the latest discoveries and research in physics, discussed at a level appropriate for beginning studentsAll the info found in an intro physics course, arranged in an intuitive sequence that will give first-year students a head start in their high school or college physics classThe latest teaching techniques to ensure that you remember and retain what you read and practice in the bookPhysics I For Dummies is proof that physics can fun, accessible, challenging, and rewarding, all at the same time! Whether you’re a high school or undergraduate student looking for a leg-up on basic physics concepts or you’re just interested in how our universe works, this book will help you understand the thermodynamic, electromagnetic, relativistic, and everything in between. Read more

Essential tool for physics laws, concepts, variables and equations, including sample problems, common pitfalls and helpful hints. Read more

The amateur astronomer’s step-by-step guide to predicting and calculating the positions of stars, planets, the sun, the moon, and satellites using a personal computer and high school mathematics!Our knowledge of the universe is expanding rapidly, as space probes launched decades ago begin to send information back to earth. There has never been a better time to learn about how planets, stars, and satellites move through the heavens. This book is for amateur astronomers who want to move beyond pictures of constellations in star guides and solve the mysteries of a starry night. It is a book for readers who have wondered where Saturn will appear in the night sky, when the sun will rise and set—or how long the space station will be over their location. In Celestial Calculations, J. L. Lawrence shows readers how to find the answers to these and other astronomy questions with only a personal computer and high school math. Using an easy-to-follow step-by-step approach, Lawrence explains what calculations are required, why they are needed, and how they all fit together. Lawrence begins with basic principles: unit of measure conversions, time conversions, and coordinate systems. He combines these concepts into a computer program that can calculate the location of a star and uses the same methods for predicting the locations of the sun, moon, and planets. He then shows how to use these methods for locating the many satellites we have sent into orbit. Finally, he describes a variety of resources and tools available to the amateur astronomer, including star charts and astronomical tables. Diagrams illustrate the major concepts, and computer programs that implement the algorithms are included. Photographs of actual celestial objects accompany the text, and interesting astronomical facts are interspersed throughout.Source code (in Python 3, JAVA, and Visual Basic) and executables for all the programs and examples presented in the book are available for download at https://CelestialCalculations.github.io. Read more

Anyone who truly wants to understand general relativity, quantum field theory or any other area of modern physics first needs to master Lagrangian mechanics.The issue with most resources teaching Lagrangian mechanics is that they don't truly teach you the why behind it. But what if it didn't have to be that way? What if you could truly learn Lagrangian mechanics the right way?The truth is that trying to understand physics at a deep level without understanding Lagrangian mechanics is like driving a car without a steering wheel – you’ll eventually run into a wall and not be able to move forward anymore.The issue is that Lagrangian mechanics is often taught in a way that does not truly explain why it's needed and instead leaves you wondering “who cares about this?”The true reason why Lagrangian mechanics is so incredibly powerful is that it gives you a general framework for describing literally any area of modern physics.This is the reason why Lagrangian mechanics exists, but almost no one will teach you it this way... even though they should.Whether you want to learn:ElectrodynamicsSpecial and general relativityQuantum field theoryString theoryYou absolutely need to have a deep understanding of Lagrangian mechanics to even get started on any of these topics.However, getting started and specifically knowing where to start is often the most difficult part. It would be nice to have a dedicated resource that introduces Lagrangian mechanics completely from scratch and gives you everything in one place.Well, that's exactly what this book will give you.You'll learn Lagrangian mechanics in a completely unique way you've likely never seen before - as both a fundamental framework for advanced modern physics, but also as an incredibly powerful problem solving tool.Lagrangian Mechanics For The Non-Physicist is a complete resource specifically designed to teach you everything you'd possibly need to know about Lagrangian mechanics and the foundations of modern physics - the fundamentals, prerequisites, theory, math and practical applications. It's all here.Some of the interesting you'll be able to learn from this book include:The intuition and proper motivation for why Lagrangian mechanics works and how it's useful in the first place as well as why the principle of stationary action makes senseCalculus of variations - the area of math Lagrangian mechanics uses - from the ground up, starting from the very basic ideas of single-variable calculusThe framework of Lagrangian mechanics, how to set up and solve any Lagrangian mechanics problem in a consistent step-by-step fashionA deeper dive into topics like generalized coordinates, generalized momenta, Lagrange multipliers and solving problems with constraintsAdvanced topics not covered in most other books - the most notable ones including friction and non-conservative forces in Lagrangian mechanics, solving statics problems with the principle of virtual work as well as a bottom-up approach to d'Alembert's principleThe relation between symmetries and conservation laws, described by Noether's theorem, as well as a precise description of what we even mean by symmetries in physicsSome advanced applications to modern physics, such as relativistic energy conservation and conservation of probability in quantum mechanics Read more

Nobel Prize-winner Roger Penrose, one of the most accomplished scientists of our time, presents the only comprehensive—and comprehensible—account of the physics of the universe. A "guide to physics’ big picture, and to the thoughts of one of the world’s most original thinkers.”—The New York TimesFrom the very first attempts by the Greeks to grapple with the complexities of our known world to the latest application of infinity in physics, The Road to Reality carefully explores the movement of the smallest atomic particles and reaches into the vastness of intergalactic space. Here, Penrose examines the mathematical foundations of the physical universe, exposing the underlying beauty of physics and giving us one the most important works in modern science writing. Read more

Providing a comprehensive introduction to quantum field theory, this textbook covers the development of particle physics from its foundations to the discovery of the Higgs boson. Its combination of clear physical explanations, with direct connections to experimental data, and mathematical rigor make the subject accessible to students with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. Assuming only an undergraduate-level understanding of quantum mechanics, the book steadily develops the Standard Model and state-of-the art calculation techniques. It includes multiple derivations of many important results, with modern methods such as effective field theory and the renormalization group playing a prominent role. Numerous worked examples and end-of-chapter problems enable students to reproduce classic results and to master quantum field theory as it is used today. Based on a course taught by the author over many years, this book is ideal for an introductory to advanced quantum field theory sequence or for independent study. Read more

A penetrating exploration of the new physics, including time travel, quantum computers, and the multiverse – as referenced in the film “Avengers: Endgame”For David Deutsch, a young physicist of unusual originality, quantum theory contains our most fundamental knowledge of the physical world. Taken literally, it implies that there are many universes “parallel” to the one we see around us. This multiplicity of universes, according to Deutsch, turns out to be the key to achieving a new worldview, one which synthesizes the theories of evolution, computation, and knowledge with quantum physics. Considered jointly, these four strands of explanation reveal a unified fabric of reality that is both objective and comprehensible, the subject of this daring, challenging book. The Fabric of Reality explains and connects many topics at the leading edge of current research and thinking, such as quantum computers (which work by effectively collaborating with their counterparts in other universes), the physics of time travel, the comprehensibility of nature and the physical limits of virtual reality, the significance of human life, and the ultimate fate of the universe. Here, for scientist and layperson alike, for philosopher, science-fiction reader, biologist, and computer expert, is a startlingly complete and rational synthesis of disciplines, and a new, optimistic message about existence. Read more

In this "provocative" book (New York Times), a contrarian physicist argues that her field's modern obsession with beauty has given us wonderful math but bad science.Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the foundations of physics for more than four decades.The belief in beauty has become so dogmatic that it now conflicts with scientific objectivity: observation has been unable to confirm mindboggling theories, like supersymmetry or grand unification, invented by physicists based on aesthetic criteria. Worse, these "too good to not be true" theories are actually untestable and they have left the field in a cul-de-sac. To escape, physicists must rethink their methods. Only by embracing reality as it is can science discover the truth. Read more

In his monumental 1687 work, Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, known familiarly as the Principia, Isaac Newton laid out in mathematical terms the principles of time, force, and motion that have guided the development of modern physical science. Even after more than three centuries and the revolutions of Einsteinian relativity and quantum mechanics, Newtonian physics continues to account for many of the phenomena of the observed world, and Newtonian celestial dynamics is used to determine the orbits of our space vehicles. This authoritative, modern translation by I. Bernard Cohen and Anne Whitman, the first in more than 285 years, is based on the 1726 edition, the final revised version approved by Newton; it includes extracts from the earlier editions, corrects errors found in earlier versions, and replaces archaic English with contemporary prose and up-to-date mathematical forms. Newton's principles describe acceleration, deceleration, and inertial movement; fluid dynamics; and the motions of the earth, moon, planets, and comets. A great work in itself, the Principia also revolutionized the methods of scientific investigation. It set forth the fundamental three laws of motion and the law of universal gravity, the physical principles that account for the Copernican system of the world as emended by Kepler, thus effectively ending controversy concerning the Copernican planetary system. The illuminating Guide to Newton's Principia by I. Bernard Cohen makes this preeminent work truly accessible for today's scientists, scholars, and students. Read more

Richard P. Feynman shared the story of discovering the Path Integral in his Nobel Lecture. He had learned of a paper by Paul Dirac at a beer party from a gentleman named Jehle. Pouring over the same together at a library the day next, to Jehle’s utter astonishment, Feynman derived Schrodinger’s equation in real-time based on an idea from that paper. The key concept in that derivation was the “propagator”, which gave birth to the field of “Feynman’s Path Integral.” You will learn exactly how Feynman did it, in this book.The Path Integral is a formulation of quantum mechanics describing both non-relativistic (low speed) and relativistic (high speed) quantum phenomena, including quantum electrodynamics, and other quantum field theories. It is usually considered an advanced topic reserved for graduate-level courses. This book presents Path Integrals for non-relativistic particles from first principles with no more than basic Calculus. With minimal prerequisites, the presentation in this book hopes to make Path Integrals accessible without advanced training.What this book will do for you…Learn how Path Integrals appear in Quantum Mechanics via Propagators.Learn how the classical trajectory of a particle is connected to the “quantum” propagator.Calculate the Propagator for a Free Particle à Use it to Derive:de Broglie’s Wavelength.Einstein’s Energy-Frequency Relationship.Calculate the Propagator for a Particle with Potential and Kinetic Energy.Derive Schrodinger’s Equation using the Propagator.Inside the Book:Learn Feynman’s Path Integral technique with basic Calculus.7 chapters, starting from a review of Mathematical Prerequisites.Presentation interspersed with Exercises and Worked-out Solutions to consolidate your learning.About the author:Swapnonil Banerjee has a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Davis, and many years of teaching experience from K12 to university physics courses. He is passionate about simplifying complex ideas, which served as a primary motivation for writing this book.Swapnonil has extensive research experience in theoretical physics. He made important contributions to the study of a new material called semi-Dirac, in which electrons behave as non-relativistic, massive particles or effectively relativistic, massless particles depending on the direction of their movement. In one direction, the electron’s energy-momentum relationship is indicative of the electron’s having a definitive mass; in the orthogonal direction, the electron’s energy-momentum relationship indicates a surprising absence of mass.Swapnonil has also contributed to biotechnology, co-developing the Poisson Plus algorithm used for estimating the concentration of biomolecules via the digital PCR technique, and holds a patent for this work.Swapnonil has published in reputed journals including Nature Scientific Reports and Physical Review Letters.Swapnonil’s interests besides research and teaching include people and culture. He co-authored the historical fiction Deflected, a fast-paced, wartime romance based on the life of the nineteenth-century mathematician who calculated the height of Mount Everest and established it as the highest point on Earth.Email [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnonil-banerjee-phd-5597553b/ Read more

The international bestseller that inspired a major Nova special and sparked a new understanding of the universe.Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, peels away layers of mystery to reveal a universe that consists of eleven dimensions, where the fabric of space tears and repairs itself, and all matter—from the smallest quarks to the most gargantuan supernovas—is generated by the vibrations of microscopically tiny loops of energy. The Elegant Universe makes some of the most sophisticated concepts ever contemplated accessible and thoroughly entertaining, bringing us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works. Read more

Physics Essentials For Dummies (9781119590286) was previously published as Physics Essentials For Dummies (9780470618417). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. For students who just need to know the vital concepts of physics, whether as a refresher, for exam prep, or as a reference, Physics Essentials For Dummies is a must-have guide. Free of ramp-up and ancillary material, Physics Essentials For Dummies contains content focused on key topics only. It provides discrete explanations of critical concepts taught in an introductory physics course, from force and motion to momentum and kinetics. This guide is also a perfect reference for parents who need to review critical physics concepts as they help high school students with homework assignments, as well as for adult learners headed back to the classroom who just need a refresher of the core concepts.The Essentials For Dummies SeriesDummies is proud to present our new series, The Essentials For Dummies. Now students who are prepping for exams, preparing to study new material, or who just need a refresher can have a concise, easy-to-understand review guide that covers an entire course by concentrating solely on the most important concepts. From algebra and chemistry to grammar and Spanish, our expert authors focus on the skills students most need to succeed in a subject. Read more

AUTHOR: Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in particle physics from Oklahoma State University. Dr. McMullen currently teaches physics at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. His background on the geometry and physics of a possible fourth dimension of space includes a half-dozen research papers on the prospects of discovering large extra dimensions at the Large Hadron Collider.DESCRIPTION: While Volume 1 covered the geometry of extra dimensions in detail, Volume 2 focuses on the physics of extra string-inspired dimensions. Consider the problem and solution of expressing the cross product in higher dimensions. See the effect that the extra flux of field lines has on Gauss's law in higher dimensions. Explore how extra dimensions may be hidden via compactification. Discover the recent motivation for the case of extra dimensions that are much larger than originally predicted by string theory. Read about current and upcoming experiments with the potential to detect the presence of large extra dimensions in our universe. Learn the fundamentals of special and general relativity, quantum mechanics, and string theory, and how these relate to extra dimensions... All on this visual introduction to the fourth and higher dimensions. This guide is conceptually and visually detailed, intended for mathematically-minded readers who may have not yet been exposed to calculus.PUZZLES: Several puzzles are included to challenge the reader to contemplate the fourth dimension. Answers are included at the back of the book. Read more

Going beyond the conventional mathematics of probability theory, this study views the subject in a wider context. It discusses new results, along with applications of probability theory to a variety of problems. The book contains many exercises and is suitable for use as a textbook on graduate-level courses involving data analysis. Aimed at readers already familiar with applied mathematics at an advanced undergraduate level or higher, it is of interest to scientists concerned with inference from incomplete information. Read more

A complete introduction to the field of computational physics, with examples and exercises in the Python programming language. Computers play a central role in virtually every major physics discovery today, from astrophysics and particle physics to biophysics and condensed matter. This book explains the fundamentals of computational physics and describes in simple terms the techniques that every physicist should know, such as finite difference methods, numerical quadrature, and the fast Fourier transform. The book offers a complete introduction to the topic at the undergraduate level, and is also suitable for the advanced student or researcher who wants to learn the foundational elements of this important field. Read more

A look inside the world of “quants” and how science can (and can’t) predict financial markets: “Entertaining and enlightening” (The New York Times).   After the economic meltdown of 2008, Warren Buffett famously warned, “beware of geeks bearing formulas.” But while many of the mathematicians and software engineers on Wall Street failed when their abstractions turned ugly in practice, a special breed of physicists has a much deeper history of revolutionizing finance. Taking us from fin-de-siècle Paris to Rat Pack–era Las Vegas, from wartime government labs to Yippie communes on the Pacific coast, James Owen Weatherall shows how physicists successfully brought their science to bear on some of the thorniest problems in economics, from options pricing to bubbles.   The crisis was partly a failure of mathematical modeling. But even more, it was a failure of some very sophisticated financial institutions to think like physicists. Models—whether in science or finance—have limitations; they break down under certain conditions. And in 2008, sophisticated models fell into the hands of people who didn’t understand their purpose, and didn’t care. It was a catastrophic misuse of science. The solution, however, is not to give up on models; it’s to make them better.   This book reveals the people and ideas on the cusp of a new era in finance, from a geophysicist using a model designed for earthquakes to predict a massive stock market crash to a physicist-run hedge fund earning 2,478.6% over the course of the 1990s. Weatherall shows how an obscure idea from quantum theory might soon be used to create a far more accurate Consumer Price Index. The Physics of Wall Street will change how we think about our economic future.   “Fascinating history . . . Happily, the author has a gift for making complex concepts clear to lay readers.” —Booklist Read more

The plain-English guide to understanding quantum physicsMastering quantum physics is no easy feat, but with the help of Quantum Physics For Dummies you can work at your own pace to unlock key concepts and fascinating facts. Packed with invaluable explanations, equations, and step-by-step instructions, this book makes a challenging subject much more accessible. Great for college students taking a quantum physics course, Quantum Physics For Dummies offers complete coverage of the subject, along with numerous examples to help you tackle the tough stuff. The Schrodinger Equation, the foundations of quantum physics, vector notation, scattering theory, angular momentum—it’s all in here. This handy guide helps you prepare for exams and succeed at learning quantum physics. Get clear explanations of the core concepts in quantum physics Review the math principles needed for quantum physics equationsLearn the latest breakthroughs and research in the fieldClarify difficult subjects and equations from your college courseQuantum Physics For Dummies is great a resource for students who need a supplement to the textbook to help them tackle this challenging subject. Read more

This introduction to complex numbers by experienced teacher and author, Chris McMullen, Ph.D., begins with the arithmetic of complex numbers and works its way up to roots of complex numbers and polynomials, and includes a variety of fascinating problems such as, "What is the square root of the imaginary number i?" Prerequisite: basic trigonometry. (No calculus is needed to use this workbook.) Read more