Particularize Books Toward QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter
| Original Title: | QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter |
| ISBN: | 0691024170 (ISBN13: 9780691024172) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Richard P. Feynman
Paperback | Pages: 158 pages Rating: 4.24 | 15196 Users | 476 Reviews
Present Epithetical Books QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter
| Title | : | QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter |
| Author | : | Richard P. Feynman |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 158 pages |
| Published | : | October 21st 1988 by Princeton University Press (first published 1985) |
| Categories | : | Science. Physics. Nonfiction. Popular Science |
Chronicle Conducive To Books QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter
Famous the world over for the creative brilliance of his insights into the physical world, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman also possessed an extraordinary talent for explaining difficult concepts to the nonscientist. QED--the edited version of four lectures on quantum electrodynamics that Feynman gave to the general public at UCLA as part of the Alix G. Mautner Memorial Lecture series--is perhaps the best example of his ability to communicate both the substance and the spirit of science to the layperson. The focus, as the title suggests, is quantum electrodynamics (QED), the part of the quantum theory of fields that describes the interactions of the quanta of the electromagnetic field-light, X rays, gamma rays--with matter and those of charged particles with one another. By extending the formalism developed by Dirac in 1933, which related quantum and classical descriptions of the motion of particles, Feynman revolutionized the quantum mechanical understanding of the nature of particles and waves. And, by incorporating his own readily visualizable formulation of quantum mechanics, Feynman created a diagrammatic version of QED that made calculations much simpler and also provided visual insights into the mechanisms of quantum electrodynamic processes. In this book, using everyday language, spatial concepts, visualizations, and his renowned "Feynman diagrams" instead of advanced mathematics, Feynman successfully provides a definitive introduction to QED for a lay readership without any distortion of the basic science. Characterized by Feynman's famously original clarity and humor, this popular book on QED has not been equaled since its publication.Rating Epithetical Books QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter
Ratings: 4.24 From 15196 Users | 476 ReviewsArticle Epithetical Books QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter
Richard Feynman's friend Alix had asked him to explain Quantum Electrodynamics (the titular QED) to her in a way a layman could understand many times. Heartbreakingly, it wasn't until her death that he actually found the time to write a series of four lectures that would do just that. This book is a (slightly edited) transcript of those four lectures.Feynman writes for the layman without ever being condescending and his famous sense of humour shines through. He makes this subject bothThe guy that wrote the forward for the book seems to dislike Feynman from his personal experience and reputation. For example, he labels Feynman as a philanderer - which was a surprise to me as I was expecting a book more about physics than the physicist.Feynman is confident and flamboyant in his style, which is easy and enjoyable to read. He also seems exceptionally able to put himself into the mind of a non-expert and explain things appropriately.The book is based on 4 lectures explaining some
I've never seen something like this before! It explains the way quantum electrodynamics actually works (not just analogies), but without assuming any physics or math background. I would have been skeptical if the author were anyone other than Richard Feynman, but it's super well done. With my limited physics background, I found the explanations super clear, at least in the beginning.Some of my favorite parts: I learned that light doesn't always travel in a straight line or at the speed of light,
This book hits all the marks for a great novel. Yes, it's a science book, but it's probably one of the best ones I've read so far. Feynman has a fun style of writing and makes these topics very easy to understand. He really captures the wonder and excitement that new things in physics can offer. Even though I knew many of the things in the book already, I had never seen them presented in this way before, as in, explaining common phenomena like reflection and diffraction with the little "arrows"
My reaction upon finishing this book:(Any excuse for a Breaking Bad reference.)Seriously, though, this is one of the best pop science books Ive yet encountered. I read Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character last year, and was thoroughly impressed by Feynmans animated personality and his passion for physics. Now I find myself even more impressed by his exceptional teaching ability. QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter is a collection of 4 lectures he gave to
Throughout the years of reading both popular and less-popular science, Ive kind of steered clear of Richard Feynman. The main reason is that what others describe as a larger than life persona I tend to describe as really bloody annoying, what with his bongos and womanizing and oh-so-clever quips where he always gets the upper hand with the old and rusty physics establishment. Having now fought my way through QED, I can see that this may have been a mistake. My annoyance with his autobiographical
Seriously, I don't know how to write this review. I'd promise myself and you that I'll be updating this review as I begin to evolve my thought regarding this book and 'Theory of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)'.Physics has become full of Mess, these recent days, since the discovery of quantum mechanics and perhaps you'd claim that Physics is Ugly.Well I couldn't agree with you more, but on the other hand, Physicist and the whole of the physics community have done the great job of correlating these
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