The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made Our World by James Kakalios (PDF)

Description

A highly entertaining exploration of the complicated science of quantum mechanics made easy to understand by way of pop culture. As a young science fiction fan, physicist James Kakalios marveled at the future predicted in the pulp magazines, comics, and films of the ’50s and ’60s. By 2010, he was sure we’d have flying cars and jetpacks. But what we ended up with-laptop computers, MRI machines, Blu-ray players, and dozens of other real-life marvels-are even more fantastic. In The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics, he explains why the development of quantum mechanics enabled our amazing present day.In his trademark style, Kakalios uses pop culture examples- everything from the graphic novel Watchmen to schlock horror movies of the ’50s-to elucidate some of the most complex science there is. And he brings to life the groundbreaking scientists whose discoveries made our present life possible. Along the way, he dispels the misconception that quantum mechanics is unknowable by mere mortals. It’s not magic; it’s science!

User’s Reviews

Opiniones editoriales About the Author James Kakalios is a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota, where he has taught since 1988, and where his class “Everything I Needed to Know About Physics I Learned from Reading Comic Books” is a popular freshman seminar. He received his Ph.D. in 1985 from the University of Chicago, and has been reading comic books for much longer.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐When I first saw the cover in a local library, I thought the book was a leftover from my youth. On closer inspection of the 21st century technology being used by ‘my’ 1950s family, I started reading and soon decided that I needed to buy a copy to catch up on what has happened in science in the last 60 years! Most of our modern technology is based on practical applications of Quantum Mechanics. However, the physical processes that it describes are beyond our senses and its principles are often presented as mathematical abstractions. This book makes the science ‘touchable’. Prof. Kakalios has a wonderful talent for describing the complexities of Quantum Mechanics in in terms of simple, non-mathematical analogies that provides a physical understanding of the system . . . and using stories from classic science fiction literature to make it fun to read. It would be a wonderful introduction for anyone thinking about studying modern science in college . . . or even high school.

⭐

⭐This book describes how atoms operate by using cartoon characters and stories from science fiction. Some of these predated actual atomic age devices. In fact nuclear chain reaction was patented by a Hungarian physicist, fan of H G Wells, four years before splitting a uranium nucleus. The author uses graphic methods instead of formulas. For example the pattern of electrons in a atom are like love seats in an auditorium. Each seat can contain up to two electrons, one is spin up and the other spin down. The first row is one seat, 1 or 2 electrons. The second row is one seat. The third row is 3 seats. The fourth is one seat. The fifth is 3 seats etc. He uses similar descriptions to explain Lazers, diodes, transformers, DVD’s, magnetic drives, MRI machines, cell phones, touch screens, and finally Quantum Computers and Entanglement.

⭐

⭐This book is an excellent way to remind me of the chronology of my (possible) knowledge of quantum mechanics and how some of it was ignored by me, and by Albert Einstein. In my case, until about 2000ad when I got suspicious that some of Einstein’s ideas were slightly limited, ie that communication faster than the velocity of light, is possible.Recent discovery of superimposition, allowing changes of one copy of duplicated particles of matter, where changes made in one copy could be read in the other copy separated from the original to any distance, in effect, instantaneously, not at the velocity of light. This is a very important development which I plan to utilize. (Read […])This book let me find when I could have learned this or misinterpreted or failed to accept, these possibilities. It appears that Einstein died to early to be convinced. I did not, but I am not too guilty of neglect once the evidence became available.

⭐

⭐Interesting read with a informative history of the sci-fi super hero genre and how some concepts for what the authors predicted for the future actually came to fruition and the physic behind these concepts and why some gizmos e.g. death ray never made it.

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⭐I was very much surprised (and pleased) with this book. It was not too technical that the average high-school student could not understand it yet it was detailed enough to describe processes that many of us are not aware of.It was very interesting how the author kept tying the subject matter back to “science fiction” and the connection between fiction and science. However, it did seem that some of these were a bit too long (and distracting). All in all though, it was well written and a quick read. It is a natural for Kindle.I donated my copy to the local library hoping it will attract interest in this subject among high-school and college students.

⭐

⭐I’m not a an expert in science or a scientist trained in physics. Over the past few years, I have become interested in quantum physics as a hobby. During this time, I have also gotten asked the question why are you interested in quantum physics. I have difficulty expressing the reasons because if I say something like ” it explains why solid objects are solid” I find that doesn’t answer the question. But now, after reading this book, I have many answers to that question. I want to thank the author for his help.

⭐

⭐This is a book I feel I will be certain to reread. It has done something that I thought impossible; that I might possibly understand, some day, how the high tech devices I use in daily life (such as the iPad I read it on) actually work, sort of (the details are very clouded). And how the magic of nuclear magnetic imaging occurs. Highly recommended for the technologically challenged (actually, I’m of such an age that in my childhood 2 tin cans joined by a length of string was regarded as high tech communication …).

⭐

⭐Great book for beginners who don’t want to deal with a lot of equations when they’re just starting out. The book is a bit heavy on metaphor but that’s probably necessary in a primer volume that’s trying to give you an overview of unproven scientific theory. Fun to expand the intellect. Expand your thought and get your ‘learn’ on.

⭐

⭐James Kakalios clearly loves comics as much as he loves quantum physics, and pounces on any excuse to lever them into this book. These interjections (often illustrated with frames or covers from comics) take the form of light-hearted nerdiness:”…the amazing superpowers displayed by Dr Manhattan… are a consequence of his having control over his quantum mechanical wave function.”I rolled my eyes, but was happy to indulge these cheerful diversions, even if they’re not terribly helpful, as they do leaven the load of a respectably detailed and sometimes challenging overview of the subatomic world.Whimsy aside, Kakalios adopts a very nuts and bolts approach, with clean diagrams and solid metaphors (energy levels in a semiconductor, for instance, are ‘orchestra’, ‘mezzanine’ and ‘balcony’ seats). This is not a history of the field: instead, the author is concerned with telling us, insofar as is possible in a popular text, how stuff WORKS, from wave functions and uncertainty, up through radiation and fermions, to lasers, transistors and MRI scanners. This is a prosaic and practical book, and if I occasionally had to squint and furrow my brow to understand, nonetheless, understand I did (however briefly!). A sound and engaging account not only of what quantum physics is, but why it matters and how it affects us every day

⭐

⭐Super book. don’t be fooled into thinking this book only has “entertainment” value. It certainly is written in a very accessible way, but it isn’t short changed on the Physics. A great book, which may inspire you, perhaps like it did me, to go off at tangent and explore deeper aspects of Quantum Mechanics / Light / Matter, which in turn can take you off into many other areas, if you have the curiosity to do so. This book is a great starting place and has the ability to engage you, in an entertaining manner.

⭐

⭐great value for money

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