The Quantum World: Quantum Physics for Everyone.THE QUANTUM WORLD: Quantum Physics for Everyone KENNETH W. FORD Most of us think we have a pretty good grasp on reality. We're likely to believe that wood tables are solid, our Swiss-made watches keep perfect time, and an object has the same mass, whether or not it bumps into something. In the quantum world, however, each of these notions is called into question: Matter is mostly empty space; time is relative; mass is gained or lost in a collision; and no matter how firm the data seem, outcomes are always uncertain. HOW do we wrap our brains around these counterintuitive coun·ter·in·tu·i·tive adj. Contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate: "Scientists made clear what may at first seem counterintuitive, that the capacity to be pleasant toward a fellow creature is ... ideas? Ford, retired director of the American Institute of Physics The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a professional body representing American physicists and publishing physics related journals. It was founded in 1931. The aims of the organization are: "promoting the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics and its , provides this guide to the great ideas of quantum mechanics and special relativity. Ford deals with topics as difficult as granularity, quantum numbers, superposition su·per·po·si·tion n. 1. The act of superposing or the state of being superposed: "Yet another technique in the forensic specialist's repertoire is photo superposition" , entanglement, and the uncertainty principle, but he uses explanations and examples that make these concepts easy to understand and quantum weirdness far less daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin . HUP HUP Hangup (Unix command) HUP Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania HUP Hungarian Unix Portal HUP Home Use Program HUP Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle HUP Hot Uniaxial Pressing HUP Heavy Utility Personnel , 2004, 270 p., b&w photos/illus., hardcover, $24.95. |
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