How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival

How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival
Author: David Kaiser
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Total Pages: 549
Release: 2011-06-27
Genre: Science
ISBN: 039308230X

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"How the Hippies Saved Physics gives us an unconventional view of some unconventional people engaged early in the fundamentals of quantum theory. Great fun to read." —Anton Zeilinger, Nobel laureate in physics The surprising story of eccentric young scientists—among them Nobel laureates John Clauser and Alain Aspect—who stood up to convention and changed the face of modern physics. Today, quantum information theory is among the most exciting scientific frontiers, attracting billions of dollars in funding and thousands of talented researchers. But as MIT physicist and historian David Kaiser reveals, this cutting-edge field has a surprisingly psychedelic past. How the Hippies Saved Physics introduces us to a band of freewheeling physicists who defied the imperative to “shut up and calculate” and helped to rejuvenate modern physics. For physicists, the 1970s were a time of stagnation. Jobs became scarce, and conformity was encouraged, sometimes stifling exploration of the mysteries of the physical world. Dissatisfied, underemployed, and eternally curious, an eccentric group of physicists in Berkeley, California, banded together to throw off the constraints of the physics mainstream and explore the wilder side of science. Dubbing themselves the “Fundamental Fysiks Group,” they pursued an audacious, speculative approach to physics. They studied quantum entanglement and Bell’s Theorem through the lens of Eastern mysticism and psychic mind-reading, discussing the latest research while lounging in hot tubs. Some even dabbled with LSD to enhance their creativity. Unlikely as it may seem, these iconoclasts spun modern physics in a new direction, forcing mainstream physicists to pay attention to the strange but exciting underpinnings of quantum theory. A lively, entertaining story that illuminates the relationship between creativity and scientific progress, How the Hippies Saved Physics takes us to a time when only the unlikeliest heroes could break the science world out of its rut.

Quantum Computing for the Quantum Curious

Quantum Computing for the Quantum Curious
Author: Ciaran Hughes
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2021-03-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030616010

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This open access book makes quantum computing more accessible than ever before. A fast-growing field at the intersection of physics and computer science, quantum computing promises to have revolutionary capabilities far surpassing “classical” computation. Getting a grip on the science behind the hype can be tough: at its heart lies quantum mechanics, whose enigmatic concepts can be imposing for the novice. This classroom-tested textbook uses simple language, minimal math, and plenty of examples to explain the three key principles behind quantum computers: superposition, quantum measurement, and entanglement. It then goes on to explain how this quantum world opens up a whole new paradigm of computing. The book bridges the gap between popular science articles and advanced textbooks by making key ideas accessible with just high school physics as a prerequisite. Each unit is broken down into sections labelled by difficulty level, allowing the course to be tailored to the student’s experience of math and abstract reasoning. Problem sets and simulation-based labs of various levels reinforce the concepts described in the text and give the reader hands-on experience running quantum programs. This book can thus be used at the high school level after the AP or IB exams, in an extracurricular club, or as an independent project resource to give students a taste of what quantum computing is really about. At the college level, it can be used as a supplementary text to enhance a variety of courses in science and computing, or as a self-study guide for students who want to get ahead. Additionally, readers in business, finance, or industry will find it a quick and useful primer on the science behind computing’s future.

Physics Curiosities, Oddities, and Novelties

Physics Curiosities, Oddities, and Novelties
Author: John Kimball
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 362
Release: 2015-04-10
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1466576367

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An Enlightening Way to Navigate through Mind-Boggling Physics ConceptsPhysics Curiosities, Oddities, and Novelties highlights unusual aspects of physics and gives a new twist to some fundamental concepts. The book covers both classical and modern physics in an engaging, straightforward style.The author presents perplexing questions that often lack

50 Simplified Quantum Physics Facts

50 Simplified Quantum Physics Facts
Author: Jennie Kitching
Publisher:
Total Pages: 84
Release: 2021-05-08
Genre:
ISBN:

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"Our Reality is Constructed Out of the Unreal What if everyday events could be split into all of their possibilities just like light through a crystal is split into a rainbow of colours? What if you could be in multiple places at once? What if light moved in slow motion? What if you could pass through walls? Welcome to the kingdom of Quantum. I remember from my schooldays that nothing is solid and dutifully doing a whole heap of experiments to prove that fact to myself, because everything from the pencil in my hand to the chips I ate for lunch felt pretty solid to me. Of course it is easy for me to accept that water is not solid, though can be in its ice form. I know there are Hydrogen and Oxygen particles in it and, to be more precise, two Hydrogen particles to every one Oxygen particle and that is what makes water, well water. I also know that add another oxygen particle and you get H202 which is no longer water, but hydrogen peroxide and I know that is used in hair bleach so perhaps is not the thing to get confused with when particularly thirsty...."Easy to Understand is the key here! Quantum physics IS complex though its many experiments to prove its theories are magical, illuminatingly fascinating and utterly compelling, so I have simplified 50 of the most important quantum physics facts for you right here. From Einstein and Bohr to the present day, with the Double Slit experiment and Schrodingers Cat to the String Theory, the Holographic Universe, The Higgs Particle to Quantum Anti Aging (yes!) - it CAN be explained SIMPLY! Join me in this fascinating exploration of Quantum Theory EASY TO UNDERSTAND guide.

Mad About Modern Physics

Mad About Modern Physics
Author: Franklin Potter
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Total Pages: 434
Release: 2008-05-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0470357320

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More mind-bending fun in physics The sequel to the popular Mad About Physics, Mad About Modern Physics promises endless hours of entertaining, challenging fun. With detailed answers to hundreds of questions ("Are fluorescent lights dangerous to your health?", "What is a fuel cell?"), the book is also a treasure trove of fun science trivia. Featuring diagrams and illustrations throughout, this fascinating physics compendium will educate and captivate students, teachers, and science buffs alike. FRANKLIN POTTER, Ph.D., is a retired physicist from the University of California at Irvine. He continues to conduct research in elementary particle physics and cosmology, as well as consult in physics education. CHRISTOPHER JARGODZKI, Ph.D., is Professor of Physics at Central Missouri State University. He is also founder and director of Center for Cooperative Phenomena. He was born and raised in Poland, and received his Ph.D. in quantum field theory from the University of California at Irvine.

Quantum Physics for Beginners

Quantum Physics for Beginners
Author: Wallace F Spear
Publisher:
Total Pages: 86
Release: 2020-11-08
Genre:
ISBN: 9781801188739

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How does the universe and the rules that make it up work? ★ It's a question that we've all asked ourselves at least once in our lives, and you?★ Are you ready to find out? ★ You're probably thinking it's too complicated, it's going to take too long to figure it out. Well, I'm glad to give you some good news. Thanks to this book, you can easily discover everything you need to know about this topic. Your best friends for this trip will be two - A mind awake and open to new knowledge ✓ - A lot of desire to learn. ✓ You see, the real difficulty in learning quantum physics is to accept everything you're going to be told. Ordinary people argue, mistakenly, that quantum physics is a topic that only scientists have access to. The reality is another thing though. Anyone can learn these concepts even if their level of knowledge is less than zero. Start thinking to yourself that there is no such thing as nothing you can't do or learn - none! I want you to take three minutes right now and try to imagine how you would feel if you could understand all the "crazy" ideas of the greatest revolutionary scientists. I want to give you an advance; it will be so fantastic that you will wonder how you lived until now without knowing these extraordinary laws of the infinity that surrounds us. After a short time from the end of this book, you can finally apply all the concepts you have learned. In this book, you can learn and apply the following topics: - The basics of quantum physics ✓ - The basics of quantum mechanics ✓ - Reality VS quantum mechanics ✓ - Universe and quantum mechanics ✓ - The 12 spiritual laws of the universe ✓ - What is the law of attraction? ✓ - How to use the law of attraction ✓ - Money and the law of attraction ✓ - Happiness and the law of attraction ✓ - Meditation and the law of attraction ✓ And much more. ★ I guess now you can't wait to get started.

Quantum Enigma

Quantum Enigma
Author: Bruce Rosenblum
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2011-08-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 019979295X

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In trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics, the most successful theory in science and the basis of one-third of our economy. They found, to their embarrassment, that with their theory, physics encounters consciousness. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all this in non-technical terms with help from some fanciful stories and anecdotes about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, emphasizing what is and what is not speculation. Quantum Enigma's description of the experimental quantum facts, and the quantum theory explaining them, is undisputed. Interpreting what it all means, however, is heatedly controversial. But every interpretation of quantum physics involves consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself--and encounter quantum mechanics. Free will and anthropic principles become crucial issues, and the connection of consciousness with the cosmos suggested by some leading quantum cosmologists is mind-blowing. Readers are brought to a boundary where the particular expertise of physicists is no longer the only sure guide. They will find, instead, the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves. In the few decades since the Bell's theorem experiments established the existence of entanglement (Einstein's "spooky action"), interest in the foundations, and the mysteries, of quantum mechanics has accelerated. In recent years, physicists, philosophers, computer engineers, and even biologists have expanded our realization of the significance of quantum phenomena. This second edition includes such advances. The authors have also drawn on many responses from readers and instructors to improve the clarity of the book's explanations.

Mad about Physics

Mad about Physics
Author: Christopher Jargodzki
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2002-02-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0471436984

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Why is there eight times more ice in Antarctica than in the Arctic? Why can you warm your hands by blowing gently, and cool your hands by blowing hard? Why would a pitcher scuff a baseball?Which weighs more-a pound of feathers or a pound of iron? Let science experts Christopher Jargodzki and Franklin Potter guide you through the curiosities of physics and you'll find the answers to these and hundreds of other quirky conundrums. You'll discover why sounds carry well over water (especially in the summer), how a mouse can be levitated in a magnetic field, why backspin is so important when shooting a basketball, and whether women are indeed as strong as men. With nearly 400 questions and answers on everything from race cars to jumping fleas to vanishing elephants, Mad about Physics presents a comprehensive collection of braintwisters and paradoxes that will challenge and entertain even the brainiest of science lovers. Whether you're a physicist by trade or just want to give your brain a power workout, this collection of intriguing and unusual physics challenges will send you on a highly entertaining ride that reveals the relevance of physics in our everyday lives.

Journeying through the Quantum World

Journeying through the Quantum World
Author: Barrett Williams
Publisher: Barrett Williams
Total Pages: 113
Release: 2024-08-28
Genre: Science
ISBN:

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## Journeying through the Quantum World Master Quantum Mechanics Through Thought Experiments Unlock the mysteries of the universe with "Journeying through the Quantum World," your essential guide to understanding quantum mechanics through a series of captivating thought experiments. This eBook takes you on a thrilling exploration of quantum phenomena, distilling complex theories into accessible and engaging narratives that will spark your imagination and deepen your understanding. ### Discover the Fascinating Realm of Quantum Mechanics ### Introduction to Quantum Thought Experiments Embark on your journey with an introduction to the pivotal role thought experiments play in scientific discovery. Positioned in the historical context of quantum mechanics, this section equips you with the mindset of a quantum physicist. ### Schrödinger's Cat The Gateway Dive into Schrödinger's iconic cat scenario, a gateway to understanding superposition and the various interpretations that have intrigued scientists for decades. ### Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle Uncover the formulation and practical implications of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, illustrated through thought experiments that bring the concept to life. ### Quantum Entanglement Spooky Action at a Distance Explore the enigmatic world of quantum entanglement with explanations of the EPR Paradox, Bell's Theorem, and their revolutionary applications in quantum information theory. ### The Quantum Double-Slit Experiment Witness the peculiar nature of wave-particle duality through the double-slit experiment. Different variations and interpretations offer a window into the core of quantum mechanics. ### The Many-Worlds Interpretation Navigate through Hugh Everett's groundbreaking Many-Worlds Interpretation and compare it with the Copenhagen Interpretation using vivid thought experiments. ### The Quantum Zeno Effect Grasp the paradox of the Quantum Zeno Effect and its real-world implications, backed by meticulous experimental verifications. ### Quantum Tunneling and the Barrier Blockade Discover the astounding concept of quantum tunneling and its technological applications, elucidated through detailed thought experiments. ### Wave Function Collapse Understand the measurement problem and the observer effect with engaging thought experiments, interlaced with ongoing scientific debates and interpretations. ### Quantum Teleportation Delve into the theoretical and practical aspects of quantum teleportation, pondering future prospects and ethical considerations. ### Quantum Computing Is Thought Enough? Get introduced to the basics of quantum computing, exploring iconic thought experiments and their potential to revolutionize computation. ### Quantum Field Theory and Virtual Particles Venture into quantum fields and virtual particles, emphasizing their profound implications for modern physics through insightful thought experiments. ### Quantum Cosmology Apply quantum mechanics to the cosmos, exploring the early universe, black holes, and the information paradox with innovative thought experiments. ### Decoherence and Quantum Classical Transition Investigate decoherence mechanisms and the boundary between quantum and classical worlds, and ponder the implications for our perception of reality. ### Revisiting the Basics What is Reality? Conclude your journey by reflecting on the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics, revisiting key thought experiments, and exploring contemporary views on the nature of reality. Embark on this intellectual odyssey and transform your understanding of the quantum world. "Journeying through the Quantum World" is not just a book—it's your portal to the frontier of scientific thought. Secure your copy today and start your journey into the quantum unknown!

Nature Loves to Hide

Nature Loves to Hide
Author: Shimon Malin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2003-05-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0198031785

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The strangeness of modern physics has sparked several popular books--such as The Tao of Physics--that explore its affinity with Eastern mysticism. But the founders of quantum mechanics were educated in the classical traditions of Western civilization and Western philosophy. In Nature Loves to Hide, physicist Shimon Malin takes readers on a fascinating tour of quantum theory--one that turns to Western philosophical thought to clarify this strange yet inescapable explanation of reality. Malin translates quantum mechanics into plain English, explaining its origins and workings against the backdrop of the famous debate between Niels Bohr and the skeptical Albert Einstein. Then he moves on to build a philosophical framework that can account for the quantum nature of reality. He shows, for instance, how Platonic and Neoplatonic thought resonates with quantum theory. He draws out the linkage between the concepts of Neoplatonism and the more recent process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. The universe, Whitehead wrote, is an organic whole, composed not of lifeless objects, but "elementary experiences." Beginning with Whitehead's insight, Malin shows how this concept of "throbs of experience" expresses quantum reality, with its subatomic uncertainties, its constituents that are waves and also particles, its emphasis on acts of measurement. Once any educated person could explain the universe as a vast Newtonian web of cause and effect, but since quantum theory, reality again appears to be richer and more mysterious than we had thought. Writing with broad humanistic insight and deep knowledge of science, and using delightful conversations with fictional astronauts Peter and Julie to explain more difficult concepts, Shimon Malin offers a profound new understanding of the nature of reality--one that shows a deep continuity with aspects of our Western philosophical tradition going back 2500 years, and that feels more deeply satisfying, and truer, than the clockwork universe of Newton.