Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition cover art

Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition

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Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition

By: Richard Wolfson, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Richard Wolfson
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About this listen

"It doesn't take an Einstein to understand modern physics," says Professor Wolfson at the outset of these twenty-four lectures on what may be the most important subjects in the universe: relativity and quantum physics. Both have reputations for complexity. But the basic ideas behind them are, in fact, simple and comprehensible by anyone. These dynamic and illuminating lectures begin with a brief overview of theories of physical reality starting with Aristotle and culminating in Newtonian or "classical" physics. After that, you'll follow along as Professor Wolfson outlines the logic that led to Einstein's profound theory of special relativity and the simple yet far-reaching insight on which it rests. With that insight in mind, you'll move on to consider Einstein's theory of general relativity and its interpretation of gravitation in terms of the curvature of space and time.

From there, you'll embark on a dazzling exploration of how inquiry into matter at the atomic and subatomic scales led to quandaries that are resolved-or at least clarified-by quantum mechanics, a vision of physical reality so profound and so at odds with our experience that it nearly defies language.

By bringing relativity and quantum mechanics into the same picture, you'll chart the development of fascinating hypotheses about the origin, development, and possible futures of the entire universe, as well as the possibility that physics can produce a "theory of everything" to account for all aspects of the physical world. But the goal throughout these lectures remains the same: to present the key ideas of modern physics in a way that makes them clear to the interested layperson.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses
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Wolfson is great - enthusiastic, engaging and very knowledgeable. The explorations of this mind bending world far from our day to day experience are clear, understandable and have left me wanting to understand more. I particularly enjoyed following him on the journey of physics through time. This gave me some appreciation for the insight and genius demonstrated by the great scientists in unravelling the mysteries of our world.
Highly recommended.

Fantastic

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This course makes clear some of the most mysterious and bizarre understandings of reality we have. It outlines the intellectual journeys people had to take to reach these understandings, and it does so in an accessible and engaging style. Loved this book.

Brilliant

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intuitive explanation on the most complex aspects of physics. must read for those interested in the physics of the big and the small

the way to present science

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had me thinking the whole lecture, very enjoyable!

I'm hooked on the great courses material.

insightful

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I’ve read topics introduced in this book many other times before, however never truly understood till I listened to this audio book.

Best way to understand physics

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Wolfson provides a clear logical progression through classical physics and the discoveries that led to modern physics with a focus on relativity.
This is a great 30,000 foot look at relativity, it's implications on current physical models and the challenges currently facing physics.
Recommended for people, like me, with an interest in the discussions and thoughts behind relativity but don't have the time to explore all the math.
I listened to this lecture series in the car, to and from work, and found it easy to follow and interesting.

Great, thought provoking set of lectures.

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There are obviously a lot of very complicated ideas I'm this audio book. You'd definitely need a basic understanding of science to grasp it... but it does a good job of explaining special relativity simply. Quantum physics and general relativity I will need to re listen to!

I probably need to listen to it a few times

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I loved this book. This is an amazing book...gonna reread a few chapters to recap.

amazing ...damn good.

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Great info well presented. Thought provoking and detailed but not in a confusing way

Superb

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fascinating and well structured, you won't understand everything about quantum physics but you'll get a general idea of what people are talking about which is all you could hope for in a short course

approachable for non scientists

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