Books on quantum physics

[truth seeker]

I did a search on this and so far have only come up with "Dancing Wu Li Masters". I was wondering if anyone could suggest a book on quantum physics for people who don't know anything about it. Hopefully something that doesn't talk down to you but at the same time explains it well and in an engaging manner. I apologize if there is a thread relating to this already.

 

[mkrnhr]

truth seeker, are you familiar with mathematics?

 

[bedower]

The best one I've ever read as a non-mathematical layperson is 'Parallel Worlds' by Michio Kaku.

 

[John G]

For the general public there is also Brian Greene's book:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fabric_of_the_Cosmos.


For the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics there is also this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fabric_of_Reality


A wiki link for the book bedower mentioned:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_Worlds_(book)


Of course there are things Ark and the Cs talk about like quantum jumps and Einstein's 1938 paper (5th and 6th dimensions, loop of the cylinder) that are not in these books.

 

[RyanX]

I would recommend the following two books:

Exploring the Physics of the Unknown Universe by Milo Wolf
_http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Physics-Universe-Adventurers-Guide/dp/0962778710

This is a good basic guide to physics in general and the last few chapters talk about quantum physics which is a fairly lucid introduction to the topic for lay persons.

Quantum Reality: Beyond the New Physics by Nick Herbert
_http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Reality-Beyond-New-Physics/dp/0385235690

This one is another good layman's introduction to quantum physics. Does a better job of expounding on the many interpretations of quantum theory.

There are probably others too, but these I've found to be the most helpful for myself in understanding this topic.

 

[truth seeker]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies!

truth seeker, are you familiar with mathematics?

My mathematics education goes up to algebra which I unfortunately have probably forgotten most of by now. If I understand it correctly, I'd have to be up to date on this to really "get" quantum physics...

Also, does anyone think that learning quantum physics would help me in better understanding some of the material on this forum? Sometimes I feel a little slow and wonder if there's something really lacking in my education that prevents me from understanding subjects pertaining to the universe better.

My science education stopped at biology...

 

[John G]

My mathematics education goes up to algebra which I unfortunately have probably forgotten most of by now. If I understand it correctly, I'd have to be up to date on this to really "get" quantum physics...

Also, does anyone think that learning quantum physics would help me in better understanding some of the material on this forum? Sometimes I feel a little slow and wonder if there's something really lacking in my education that prevents me from understanding subjects pertaining to the universe better.

My science education stopped at biology...

It's certainly possible to picture a lot about quantum physics without knowing the math. The idea is to know what the math is doing not to actually do the math. The main math is Clifford Algebra and Lie Algebra and you don't get those in high school or even for something like the electrical engineering degree I have so I really don't worry about forgetting any math I actually knew how to do.

Picturing the roles of Clifford and Lie Algebras isn't something too many people do, I certainly don't think it's a necessity here, it was something fun and related to my Jung/Gurdjieff hobby before I found this place. I kind of identified with this:

Q: (A) Okay, if it is sincere, then it means I should answer him. Last question: I was thinking about what is the most
important for me at the present, and I think that I want to understand and implement this concept of densities; to
implement it into physics and mathematics. But, it seems to me that I am completely alone with that. I would like to know
where I should look, because certainly other people have already tried to do it. I don't want to start from scratch if there
is something that I can look at or study before I really jump into this difficult project. Were there people, scientists...
where to look?
A: Study the works of Gurdjieff and Jung, for starters. Also, Vallee is on a similar path, and a little ahead of you. He
would be most approachable, if you can convince him of your sincerity.

There's certainly plenty of science fiction stuff out there too that is related to quantum physics and concepts that come up here.

 

[bedower]

Also, truthseeker, there is a really excellent novel (fiction) about Quantum Physics called 'Out of the Sun' by Robert Goddard. It has a lot in it about the mathematics of quantum, as well as giving potted histories of famous quantum physicists and explores how quantum mathematics could be misused, which is the premise behind the story. It's really well-plotted. If you come across it in your bookshop perusals, I highly recommend it.

:)

 

[combsbt]

The books by Michael Talbot are approachable for non mathematicians, and presented in an interesting manner.

_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Talbot_(author)

I found The Holographic Universe to be an interesting read, although it was years ago and I don't remember it entirely and cant seem to find it. I do have a copy of Beyond the Quantum here and here is what it says on the back:

In the past decade quite a number of amazing coincidences in the laws of physics, coincidences that imply the universe was designed for the purpose of creating conscious entities capable of observing and understanding it, have come under scientific scrutiny, and currently there is an active debate about what these amazing coincidences mean. Some scientists believe that the human race, through billions of acts of observer-participancy traveling back through time, has actually had a major role in creating both the universe and the laws of physics. Others feel that the existence of such coincidences provides us with mathematical evidence of the existence of God.

This one is also an interesting read, especially keeping in mind the context of hyperdimensional reality and info relating to the C's.

 

[Masamune]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies!

truth seeker, are you familiar with mathematics?

My mathematics education goes up to algebra which I unfortunately have probably forgotten most of by now. If I understand it correctly, I'd have to be up to date on this to really "get" quantum physics...

Hi truth seeker, I am a physics major at a university in the US and I have taken a class on quantum mechanics and will be taking another next semester. I do think that you need to know the mathematical portion to get quantum mechanics but I think that you can learn quite a lot without much mathematical knowledge at all. One can just learn the conceptual aspect of physics without being able to do all of the calculations.

Unfortunately I have not read any books outside of textbooks on the subject and cannot recommend any books to read about physics. Have you read this thread?: The Field

Also, does anyone think that learning quantum physics would help me in better understanding some of the material on this forum? Sometimes I feel a little slow and wonder if there's something really lacking in my education that prevents me from understanding subjects pertaining to the universe better.

Yes! I think it would be helpful to know about quantum physics and how the universe objectively works. Because I think you can learn a lot about yourself by learning how the outside world works. But I am not sure if this subject would be the one that is perhaps holding you back in your learnings. There are many other important subjects out there to learn and I am not exactly sure how important physics is in comparison. For example I think it would be much more beneficial to learn about psychology at this point before physics in order to deal with the world and yourself.

 

[Buddy]

Yes! I think it would be helpful to know about quantum physics and how the universe objectively works. Because I think you can learn a lot about yourself by learning how the outside world works. But I am not sure if this subject would be the one that is perhaps holding you back in your learnings. There are many other important subjects out there to learn and I am not exactly sure how important physics is in comparison. For example I think it would be much more beneficial to learn about psychology at this point before physics in order to deal with the world and yourself.

I agree. In a Universe where everything is connected in some way to everything else, anything you study can help deepen understanding in general. My idea would be to pick a subject that you seem to be having a bit of difficulty understanding, and then find a subject that is the closest to it...somehow logically related. For instance, I've discovered a good way to deepen my understanding of narcissistic dynamics, in general, is to study communication issues such as Gregory Bateson's "double-binds" and R.D.Laing's "Knots."

 

[mcb]

The best one I've ever read as a non-mathematical layperson is 'Parallel Worlds' by Michio Kaku.

Yes, I am reading it now. Very understandable, and an interesting look at some of the people behind modern physics. It is helping me to tie together and make sense of the many bits and pieces of information that I have picked up over the years since reading some of the earlier books. Quite valuable, I think.

It's available as an audiobook for those of us that don't see so well.

 

[truth seeker]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of your suggestions. I'll definitely take you up on them!

 

[Evolutionary1]

Hey Truth Seeker. I have read the Holographic Universe and it was very interesting and piqued my interest in quantum theory. I found the Tao of Physics later, but I wasn't able to finish it because my dog ate it (seriously) when I was about halfway through, but it draws parallels between Taoism and Physics, and seems to be a good introduction to both, one illuminating the other. Perhaps I'll get another copy. I'll have to check out some of the others recommended when my reading list thins out a little.
I'm currently reading the Quantum and the Lotus, which parallels Buddhism and quantum physics theory. I don't have much specialized mathematical knowledge, but a lot of the concepts I've picked up from books like these are comprehensible for a layperson like myself and many others.
I hope you find something that inspires you... :)